Recession: FG must increase minimum wage – NLC

Worried by the State of the country’s economy, President of National Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, yesterday, urged President Munammadu Buhari not to jettison increment in minimum wages from N18, 000, saying “this is the logic used by United State to address recession.”

Wabba, who made the appeal in an interview with newsmen after presenting N400, 000 Cheque to wife of late Vanguard deputy photo-editor, Mr. Tunji Oyeleru at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, argued that the economy cannot return to its former state unless the citizens have purchasing power.

The NLC president said “The state of the country’s economy requires that we increase minimum wage. We need to empower the people to buy and sell. If the economy is at standstill and people cannot buy, the economy will not grow.

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“It is the workers money that keeps the economy growing. It is not the fund disbursed for big contracts that are kept in different accounts that keeps the country economy growing. That was the logic that helped the United State to revive their economy,” he added.

On the reason for the donation, Wabba said “It was agreed by the present leadership of NLC that we must remember our heroes especially those who died during struggle and their relatives.

“And since my assumption of office, I decided to embark on this because I knew about the story. I have a full picture of the story and that was why we have extended same gesture to the Family of late Chima Ubani.

The NLC president stated that Tunji, who was 46-year-old, before his death, had reported labour activities and issues affecting downtrodden in the society.

According to him, “The reason for this gesture is that the Tunji died during active service. Despite he was not a staff of NLC but he died attending a programme of NLC.

“I think he is one photo-journalist that had covered NLC very well. He has offered tremendous service to the working class and their family and to the labour union.

“We believe this could further encourage other journalists who are still in active service; writing reports on the downtrodden in the society. I will sustain this for another four years and I will also recommend it to anyone who takes over from me so that these people do not die in vain,” the NLC president added.

Wabba lamented “10 years ago, he died in the official vehicle of the former NLC president. It was during one of our official rally against fuel increase in the country. He died in Maiduguri, Yobe State. To me, there is that de-moral burden to try to respond effectively after his demise. This is to show appreciation for his contribution to the struggle.”