Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, recently urged labor groups to prioritize workers’ rights over political involvement. Following his meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, Oshiomhole, a former labor leader himself, expressed concern over the current labor strikes, suggesting they might be politically motivated rather than centered on workers’ interests.
Oshiomhole emphasized the necessity of being politically aware but not partisan, especially in labor circles. As a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), he avoided alliances with politicians in Edo State, advocating for a non-partisan approach in advancing industrial progress.
He also questioned labor’s focus, pointing out the need for action against states that fail to implement the approved minimum wage. He argued that organized labor should hold state governments accountable for the N30,000 minimum wage agreement, applicable to local and state workers, instead of solely focusing on the federal government, which has already increased wages to N35,000.
Oshiomhole advised workers to avoid overtly partisan actions, stressing that discussions on minimum wage should encompass all Nigerian workers, including those in local and state government roles. He indicated his support for actions against any government neglecting workers’ needs, emphasizing that the labor strike should address broader worker issues rather than political agendas.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of addressing the hierarchy of workers’ needs, asserting that this should be the primary focus of the NLC, underscoring his stance against any form of brutality towards Nigerians.
