Former senator Adams Oshiomhole has strongly criticized governments that have not fulfilled the agreement to increase workers’ wages by N35,000 as approved by the Federal Government.
In an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of implementing the wage increase, stating that it should apply to all levels of government and the private sector.
“The Federal Government approved N35,000 increase on top of current wage levels. But I’m yet to understand why any Nigerian state government or governor is not implementing that agreement,” Oshiomhole said.
He also highlighted that the wage increase should benefit workers across all sectors, not just federal employees, as workers across Nigeria, both public and private, united in a general strike to push for this increase.
“I don’t agree that the money was for only federal employees. Federal employees don’t have different markets from state employees and the struggle that was mobilised, workers in Nigeria were mobilised both public and private sectors in what we called a general strike before that money was awarded,” he added.
Oshiomhole urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and workers to demand the full implementation of the wage increase, asserting that it is their right. He firmly stated that any government failing to implement the N35,000 increase does not deserve peace.
“By extension, therefore, all state governments, local governments, federal government, and private sector employers should implement it. I don’t think NLC business is to lament it. They should fight for the implementation of their rights,” he asserted.
He concluded by stating his viewpoint clearly: “Any government that refuses to implement the N35,000 is not entitled to peace. That’s my view.”