OGUN MINIMUM WAGE STRUGGLE: LABOUR MUST MATCH WORDS WITH ACTIONS

NLC AND TUC MUST COMMENCE IMMEDIATE MOBILISATION OF WORKERS, AND ALSO CALL A MEETING OF SOCIALISTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) Ogun state chapter, warmly welcomes the decision of the NLC and TUC Ogun state chapters to embark on a 48-hour warning strike action to protest the continued indifference and nonchalant attitude of the Dapo Abiodun-led APC government, towards the implementation of the newly approved minimum wage increment for the workers.

The CDWR commends this bold initiative and urge the trade unions across the state to commence the immediate mobilisation of their members, through congresses, workplace meetings, leafleting, symposiums, rallies and press conferences. This would ensure that the 48hrs warning strike action is fully complied with by workers across the state. This warning strike according to the labour leaders is a prelude towards the impending indefinite strike action being planned for early next year should the government maintain its insensitive and recalcitrant attitudes to the plights of the workers. CDWR fully align and support these initiatives and decisions.

The labour leaders rising from a meeting on Monday, 16th December 2019, under aegis of NLC and TUC had resolved to embark on a two-day warning strike action between 19th and 20th December, 2019, to compel the state government to the negotiating table. The trade unions arrived at this decision after many failed attempts through letters to get the ears of the government. The CDWR condemns this shabby treatment of workers by the state government and decry the arrogance of the state governor, who has been trying without success to project himself as a worker-friendly governor, while at the same time spurning the legitimate demands of the workers!

CDWR notes that to make a success of this warning strike action and other subsequent strike actions, the labour leaders and the trade unions must avoid the mistakes of the past by not only matching words with actions through mobilisation of workers, but also ensuring that the demands of the strike actions are not limited to the minimum wage issue alone, but encompasses the demands of workers in other sectors like health, education, housing etc. as well as outstanding demands on unremitted deductions and unjust sack of Comrade Ambali, the immediate past NLC Chair. This would ensure that all workers across the state fully adhere, comply and participate in the warning strike actions.

Above all, this strike must go beyond the sit-at- home warning strike, which has been the tradition in the state. This would mean that the warning strike actions include rallies, picketing, demonstrations and protests, etc. To these end, NLC and TUC as earlier mentioned should commence immediate mobilisation by calling a meeting of Labour, Socialists and civil society groups, holding mass meetings at workplaces, rallies, symposia, press conferences etc., to keep workers and the general public abreast of events, in order to ensure full participation.

Comrade Eko John Nicholas
Coordinator
CDWR Ogun State Chapter
E-mail: [email protected]