Suspended strike: JAF welcomes N30,000 deal, says battle not over

A civil society group, the Joint Action Front (JAF), has reacted to the suspension of the earlier proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairperson of the group, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, the group commended the NLC for its doggedness in pushing negotiations this far with the Federal Government.
The group however commended the NLC for its resolute defence of the working people and poor masses’ interest, as articulated in JAF’s declaration of support for the strike. It also stated that:
“The current demand for a new National Minimum Wage has gone beyond the stage of negotiation, hence the N30,000 agreed at the Tripartite Committee, which is even very poor at US$83 per month compared to 1981 Minimum Wage of N125 at US$250, represents an irreducible minimum and therefore, IT IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.”
It also stated that “The FG must call to order the Minister of Labour – Mr. Chris Ngige, who is maliciously spreading falsehoods and deepening the tensions in the polity.
“In addition, the FG should prevail on its agent – Minister Ngige to submit the reports of the Tripartite Committee that agreed on the N30,000 Minimum, and the FG should prepare immediately a N30,000 new minimum wage bill and send to the National Assembly.”
JAF also demanded the immediate enactment into law of the N30,000 New Minimum Wage.
Stating further, the group wishes to restate its conviction. “We wish to restate our conviction, that the Minimum Wage battle for N30,000 is far from being over, because it took us (NLC, TUC & JAF) a long drawn struggle of street rallies and strike actions for two and half years [from May 13, 2009 to August 2011] to DEFEAT the then Federal Government and State Governors and compelled the implementation of the N18,000 Minimum wage.
“The situation has not changed because the greedy, profit-seeking and looting APC and PDP ruling cabals are not committed to pay any increase in wage or improvement in the living conditions of the working people and poor masses without a serious struggle that would compel them to do so.”
On the way forward, the group said, it is not shifting ground. “JAF stands on its position that Organised Labour has a duty to lead the working people and other oppressed and marginalized people of our country in a sustained political struggle to put in power a political party and government of the oppressed people that will be prepared to utiliise Nigeria’s abundant resources for the benefits of all; as opposed to the present unjust order which only enriches a few on the basis of the World Bank and IMF policies of privatization and deregulation.
“In view of this, we want to recommend to organised Labour to immediately, begin regular mobilisation of the working people and poor masses on the following issues.”
Stating its demand, the group said the following demands must be met.
“We demand that the N30,000 new Minimum Wage must be implemented to the fullest, without RETRENCHMENT,
“Arrears of salaries, allowances and pensions owed on the basis of the 2011 Minimum Wage Act must be paid.
“We also state the rejection of the IMF and World Bank neo-liberal policies of privatization and deregulation and reversal of the hike in fuel prices and electricity tariffs. We also demand adequate funding of education and healthcare for the working people and poor masses.”
JAF also insists that the Federal Government has a responsibility to the social welfare needs of Nigerians.