SSANU wants minimum wage retained on exclusive list . …opposes scrapping of LGs
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has warned against the planned removal of minimum wage from the Exclusive List.
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Nigeria had, two weeks ago, kicked against the proposal when it was muted at the on-going National Conference.
SSANU President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, who addressed a press conference on decisions reached at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union, held at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, at the weekend, threatened to mobilise his members on a nationwide strike, should the Federal Government approve the proposal.
The union also stated its strong opposition to the scrapping of local government councils as the third tier of government. Reading a communiqué at the end of the meeting, Ugwoke said: “SSANU’s NEC-in-Session commends the Federal Government for convening the National Conference, and reiterates its position that the confab should address key issues of national unity, equity and justice.
“It should also address/ accommodate issues that have been contentious in the constitution, including those that have not been adequately taken care of.
“SSANU, therefore, enjoins delegates at the National Conference not to make resolutions that will only ‘rubber stamp’ the status quo ante. Issues should be thoroughly debated before resolutions are reached, and they should be those that will address fundamental issues relevant to the survival of Nigeria as a nation, as well as enhance economic growth, peaceful co-existence and national security,” it charged. It added:
“SSANU is strongly opposed to the removal of minimum wage from the Exclusive List and the scrapping of local government as the third tier of government.
“Any attempt to uphold this recommendation, will be met with nationwide industrial actions.” The union said.