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Don’t Allow Yourselves To Be Used As Political Weapons, Buhari Advises Nigerian Workers

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerian workers not to allow themselves to be used by politicians as political weapons.

He said, as he received the report of the National Minimum Wage Committee today, Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja: “may I therefore, implore workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons.”

The President promised to quickly raise an Executive Bill to the National Assembly on the new minimum wage of N30,000 for passage within the shortest possible time, adding: “I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.”

Buhari said that as the Executive arm of government commences its review of the report, it would continue to engage the labour unions and other relevant stakeholders in closing any open areas presented in the report.

“I therefore would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”

He acknowledged the leadership of the organized labour and private sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all their hard work, saying that the fact that “we are here today, is a notable achievement.”

The President reviewed the work of the committee which was inaugurated on November 27 2017, adding that the setting up of the committee became necessary for many reasons.

“The last review took place in 2011. We all know since then, the prices of key consumables have increased and the most vulnerable of our workers are struggling to make ends meet.

“Since 2011, many changes have taken place. Nigeria rebased its GDP to become the largest economy in Africa. We reported very strong GDP growth rates and exceptional performance of our capital markets.  However, these reported successes did not flow into the pockets and homes of majority of Nigerians.

“In the last three years, we focused on correcting this deficiency. We are working to create a diversified and inclusive economy.

“We are pushing to clear pension arrears owed to our retired workers with the limited resources available to us.

“We supported State Governments to pay workers salary. And of course, we set up a committee in order to review the minimum wage of workers.

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“In constituting this committee, we took into account the need for all stakeholders to be adequately represented – the government, the private sector and most importantly the workers. Our goal was to get an outcome that was consensual.

“From the onset, we knew the committee had a difficult task ahead of it. But at the same time, we were also confident that the patriotic and professional background of its members would produce realistic, fair and implementable recommendations that will be considered by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

“I am not surprised that the committee has worked for close to one year. I am also not surprised that on a few occasions, the debates got heated and sometimes, these differences came out.

“What is truly inspiring is that, in almost all instances of disagreements, the committee members always came back to the negotiating table with a common goal of improving the welfare of Nigerian workers. On behalf of all Nigerians today, I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifice in getting us to where we are today.

“In the past few days, I have been receiving regular updates on your deliberations. And today, I am pleased that you have completed your work in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. The entire nation is grateful to you all.

“The Committee Chairman highlighted some of the challenges encountered during your deliberations, especially as it relates to having a consensus position acceptable by all parties.

“I understand, on the government side, the concerns raised were around affordability – that today many states struggle to meet their existing salary requirements.

“On the side of labour, the points raised focused on the need for any increase to be meaningful.

“In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas.

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