The Lumine News

Tag: #Peter Inyali

  • Minimum Wage: Way Forward After Labour’s Strategic Blunder BY PETER INYALI 

    Minimum Wage: Way Forward After Labour’s Strategic Blunder BY PETER INYALI 

    The minimum wage negotiation between the government and labour leaders took an interesting turn yesterday, with the federal government reportedly increasing its offer from 60k to 62k, while the labour dropped its demand from 494k to 250k.

    Labour leaders made a strategic mistake by agreeing to call off the industrial action after just two days without achieving any tangible results. This decision has weakened their bargaining power and may have inadvertently undermined their credibility.

    By calling off the strike without securing significant concessions, labour leaders may have created an opportunity for the government to claim victory. The government’s offer of 62k, an increase of 2k from their initial proposal, technically meets their promise of paying a wage higher than 60k. Should labour reject this and call for another strike, they’ll be met with a lot of skepticism because workers and Nigerians would not take them seriously again.

    Besides, despite the harsh economic conditions, the government’s offer represents over 100% increase from the current 30k minimum wage, which is not entirely unfavourable. However, Nigerian workers deserve more, but labour leaders played into the hands of government by signing an agreement that left them in a weak position as such, cannot negotiate for more at this material time.

    Similarly , the federal government’s 25-35% salary increment for its workers, in addition to the six months wage award, may have been a strategic move to preempt the minimum wage negotiations. Although not all federal government agencies have implemented the wage award, it is a significant gesture.

    Labour leaders must acknowledge that their strategy has been flawed and adjust their approach in future negotiations. Even if the government decides to add anything again it’ll be at their benevolence because as far as that agreement is concerned, the government is on the driving seat and Nigerians may never accept strike again as antidote to this issue. Already, many believe that the strike action has only benefited a few in the labour unions.

    However the issue turns out, going forward, instead of labour focusing solely on wage increases, they should advocate for the creation of safety nets or macroeconomic policies that can make disposable incomes livable.

    As suggested by a prominent Cross River leader during a private discussion, in a deregulated inflationary regime like ours, wage rate alone cannot accommodate the needs of workers. Labour should now focus on advocating for policies like reduced pump prices, lower electricity tariffs, less taxation, and a secure environment for thriving enterprises.

    It’s time for everybody to move on and wait for another negotiation in the next five years, but with better approaches and negotiators.

    Inyali Peter, Ph.D

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Inyali Peter and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Zana Akpagu To Seek Legal Redress If The Photocopy Of INEC Nomination Form Bearing Joe Agi’s Name As Circulated On Social Media Turns To Be True

    Zana Akpagu To Seek Legal Redress If The Photocopy Of INEC Nomination Form Bearing Joe Agi’s Name As Circulated On Social Media Turns To Be True

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A frontline contender for the ticket of the All Progressive Congress APC,  for Cross River Northern senatorial district bye election comes 31stOctober, 2020, Prof. Zana Akpagu has called on his teeming supporters to remain resolute despite the sighting of the photocopy of a document that have a semblance with the independent National Electoral Commission INEC nomination form.

    Prof. Akpagu maintained that they will not hasitate to take legal action to reclaim their mandate should the document turn out to be true.

    In release made available to The Lumine News and signed by Mr. Peter Inyali, for Prof. Zana Akpagu Campaign Organization, calls on all supporters to remain calm as they are yet to ascertain the authenticity of the said document considering the fact that the document beared 9th September, when the Appeal Panel sat for the first time on the 8th September, 2020.

    The release reads in parts “Truth Can Only Be Delayed, Not Denied.

    “The attention of Prof. Zana Akpagu Campaign Organization has been drawn to a photocopy of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Senatorial Nomination form bearing the name of one Joe Agi, SAN as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Cross River North Senatorial district bye-election circulating online.

    “We want to urge all our supporters to remain calm as we are yet to confirm the authenticity of the said document. This is necessary because the said document beared September 9th yet the primary appeal panel sat for the first time on 8th and the aspirant whose name appeared on the form was attended to on the 9th.

    “The panel report was possibly sent to the National working Committee on the 10th for a decision to be taken on the 11th when they met. We believe that the INEC nomination form could not have been given to anybody when aspirants who appeared before the panel are still awaiting the decision of the national leadership of the party.

    “The victory of Prof. Zana Akpagu at the poll was too clear that cannot be subverted. During the panel, the aspirant (Akpagu) presented reports backed with ward and chapter results from INEC, Police, DSS, Observers/Civil Society Organizations that certify his victory.

    “With the glaring evidences, we are confident that the leadership of our great party would not fall to the antics of those who are so scared of competition within the party but think they can always use the back door to get the ticket to chicken out in the main election like in the primary to give the PDP a smooth ride.

    “Not withstanding, we want to state unequivocally clear that in the event that the document turns out to be true, we won’t hesitate to take the necessary legal action to reclaim our mandate.

    “This is democracy hence, the wishes of the people should be allowed to prevail and not the selfish wishes of a privileged few.

    “Inyali Peter
    For Prof. Zana Akpagu Campaign Organization”