By Frederick Odu
The organised labour has explained why it did not kick against the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, but instead chose to negotiate a new minimum wage for workers.
The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, while hanging out with Journalists on Sunday in Asaba, said labour had thought that Tinubu’s economic reforms, which included the removal of fuel subsidy, would reflect positively on the life of Nigerians.
Comrade Ofobruku explained that when it became obvious that the expected economic relief was not forthcoming and that the average Nigerian worker was under severe pressure of survival, the issue of a new minimum wage became expedient.
He admitted that the N70,000 minimum wage might not be the desired solution to the harsh living condition Nigerians, especially the workers, had been forced to contend with, but added that it was better than nothing.
The labour leader, who was at the event with the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Delta State chapter, Comrade Martins Bolum, and the Secretary, State Bureau of Pensions, Comrade Lawson Efenudu, thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his labour-friendly policies.
He noted that the Governor had not only agreed to pay the N70,000 prescribed by law, but also increased the amount of car and housing loans to civil servants in the state as part of measures to cushion the effects of the prevailing hardship in the country on the workers.
Comrade Ofobruku revealed that labour was close marking the government to ensure that workers in the state were not shortchanged in the implementation of the new wage, adding that steps were being taken to make the consequential adjustment error-free.
The NLC Chairman debunked claims that labour had compromised the welfare of workers, assuring that the union would continue to interface with government on issues affecting workers without fear or favour.
He commended Journalists in the state for effectively covering labour related activities and called for more collaboration between the organised labour and the media.
Earlier, the Chairman, Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Churchill Oyowe, commended labour in the state for always championing the cause of workers and sued for a closer working relationship.
He assured the labour movement in the state of the continued support of the NUJ…