• Fri. Feb 14th, 2025

Labour Party National Transition Committee Backs Workers’ Fight For National Minimum Wage

ByHybridNewsNg

Jun 6, 2024

The National Transition Committee (NTC) of the Labour Party has declared its unwavering support for Nigerian workers in their ongoing campaign for a fair national minimum wage. The announcement was made in a joint statement by NTC Chairman Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and Secretary Engr. Nnawuihe Nwauwa, who commended the nationwide strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The NTC’s statement criticized the actions of former Labour Party leader Julius Abure and his followers, accusing them of betraying the party’s core values. According to the NTC, Abure and his supporters have shown their true allegiance by condemning the strike and aligning themselves with the current government, which has been accused of neglecting workers’ welfare.

“By denouncing the spirited efforts of organised labour through a nationwide strike, Abure’s group has exposed their true paymasters,” the NTC declared. The committee emphasized that the overwhelming support for the strike from Nigerian workers highlights the need for a decent national minimum wage.

The NTC also addressed internal party issues, stating that Abure and his faction have long abandoned the Labour Party’s working-class ideals. The statement described them as “political merchants” who have treated the party as a business opportunity rather than a platform for advancing workers’ rights.

In a pointed rebuke, the NTC accused Abure of leading a “ragtag platoon of sycophants” and engaging in activities that have undermined the party’s fortunes. The NTC insisted that the recent actions by Abure and his allies have further clarified their misplaced loyalties and poor management.

The NTC is currently tasked with organizing a National Convention to reestablish the Labour Party’s commitment to its foundational principles. This convention aims to unite the party and ensure that its leadership genuinely represents the interests of the working class.

Echoing the sentiments of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, the NTC highlighted the importance of shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven to a production-driven economy. Central to this vision is the need to ensure that workers receive a living wage, safeguarding them against poverty and indignity.

In conclusion, the NTC reaffirmed its solidarity with Nigerian workers and the ongoing struggle for wage justice. “We stand with Organised Labour in the resilient struggle for social and wage justice. We shall overcome! Morning comes!” the statement concluded.

This robust support from the Labour Party’s National Transition Committee underscores a crucial juncture in the fight for workers’ rights in Nigeria, reinforcing the call for a living wage as a cornerstone of a more equitable and productive economy.

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