Minimum wage delay: Labour urged to declare nationwide strike
Photo Credit: Vanguard
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has called on Ogranised Labour to immediately mobilise and declare a nationwide strike over the minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.
According to CDWR, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, as the next step in the minimum wage struggle, should declare and mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage not less than N200, 000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc).
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, CDWR recalled that NLC and TUC had been at loggerheads with the government and private sector over a new minimum wage, and negotiation has been deadlocked for over three weeks and still counting, saying Government and Private Sector insistence on paying N60, 000 provoked the declaration of an indefinite strike which started on June 3rd 2024 but was suspended on the 4th of June, 2024.
The group contended that “The mass protest of mostly young people has just forced the Ruto-led government in Kenya to withdraw the IMF/World Bank-inspired tax increment policy. This example shows that it is also possible for Nigerian working people and youth to force the Tinubu-led government to reverse the prices of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, fee hikes in public schools, and all other neo-liberal capitalist policies, policies which would give some immediate respite to most Nigerians.
“CDWR calls on the leadership of NLC and TUC, as the next step in the minimum wage struggle, to declare and this time mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage not less than N200, 000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc).
“However, given the recent failures of the NLC and TUC to seriously mobilise trade unionists and activists must themselves take steps to organise a campaign at grass roots level to both build support for the struggle and for the trade unions to have leaders who take their responsibilities seriously.
“Amongst the immediate demands should be the call for the inclusion of a demand that the minimum wage must be automatically adjusted in line with the rate of inflation and rising cost of living, minimum wage need not wait for four or five years before adjustment.”
FG promises support for PR academy
Photo Credit: Punch
The Federal Government has promised to provide an enabling environment for Nigeria’s pool of teeming public relations and communications practitioners.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in a statement he signed to welcome the establishment of a degree-awarding academy for public relations practice in Nigeria, on Saturday.
The degree-awarding academy followed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
“Rest assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu will continue to provide the enabling environment for everybody within Nigeria’s communications industry to thrive,” he stated.
Idris also welcomed the recent election of a Nigerian, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, as the Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association.
He said it was worth noting that Public Relations had been designated as a cadre in the Federal Civil Service, with effect from December 2023.
Passengers sue UK, British Airways over 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis
Passengers and crew from a British Airways flight taken hostage in Kuwait during Iraq's 1990 invasion have filed a lawsuit against the UK government and the airline. The legal action, involving 94 claimants, alleges that both entities knowingly endangered civilians by allowing the flight to land amid the conflict. The plaintiffs, who endured months of captivity used as human shields, seek damages for severe physical and psychological harm. The UK government and British Airways deny negligence and cover-up allegations, with the case ongoing at the High Court in London.
Politicians urge colleagues to serve beyond office
Political stakeholders, including lawmaker James Faleke and Lagos State Governor's Special Adviser on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, emphasized the importance of serving humanity during the Charter Presentation of the Rotary Club of Dideolu Golden and the 20th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Omole Golden. They urged fellow politicians to commit more to addressing critical societal needs despite the challenges facing the country.
Faleke stressed the role of elected representatives in supporting the less privileged, while Olayinka highlighted the Rotary Club's platform for promoting development and humanitarian services. Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat also lauded the Rotary Club's contributions to education, health, and community development, encouraging continued support from Nigerians.