- By Halimah Olamide
The Nigeria Labour Congress has told the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume that politicians in long convoys and big native wears (agbada) are the real felons and not labour leaders.
The body of workers described as disappointing the statement credited to Akume where he said labour leaders are saboteurs for shutting down national grid.
NPO Reports that labour leaders had shut down the national grid on Sunday preparatory to the national strike to press home the demands for negotiations on minimum wage.
The action of the labour leaders had crippled the economy, forcing government to call for return to negotiation table.
The NLC said the statement was “deeply troubling” adding that it undermined the spirit of constructive dialogue necessary for resolving the ongoing issues.
In a statement posted on Friday on itsofficial X handle, Benson Upah, head, information and public affairs, NLC, said the SGF was aware of those committing treasonable felony and sabotaging the economy.
“Those who loot our treasury around the country, those who divert public resources meant for hospitals and schools, those who are involved in foreign exchange round tripping, padding of budgets and inflating contracts including those who steal trillions of naira in the name of subsidy are the real economic saboteurs who commit treasonable felony.”
The NLC accused Akume of trivialising the minimum wage controversy by saying his cannot afford to pay his four drivers N100,000 as minimum wage.
“It is a clear demonstration of that the SGF pays his personal staff starvation wages and may be telling us that he is a slave master. We may have to remind him that a 50kg bag of rice is N88,000 which leaves the worker with just N12,000if he is to pay the paltry sum, he claims he is unable to pay,” the statement signed by Upah said.
The NLC also wondered what Akume does with four drivers, asking also “what work justifies the huge salaries and allowances that SGF takes home all the time.”