N30,000 Minimum Wage: Labour Must Declare a Two-Day General Strike

SPN Calls for a Sustained Struggle for N30,000 Minimum Wage and its Full Implementation

For Living Wage Join SPN

PRESS STATEMENT

The Socialist Party of Nigeria welcomes the rejection of N27,000 as the new minimum wage by the labour centres as reported in the news. The fact is that the figure is far less than N52,200 labour had demanded as far back as 2009 on the basis of the then prevailing costs of living.
However, it is not enough for labour to reject the figure on which basis a bill has been sent to the National Assembly by Buhari government. We call for an immediate declaration of a 48 hour general strike in the first instance, and the immediate mobilization of workers and support of the public for the strike and actions necessary to raise living standards. 

We also call on workers both of federal and state governments not to fall for divide and rule tactics of Buhari government which promises to pay federal workers a minimum wage of N30,000 but fixes N27,000 as the national minimum wage. They must all rally around the demand of labour for a national minimum wage of N30,000 as a step towards a living wage.

Moreover, it not also enough to go on strike to insist on N30,000 minimum wage, the demand must also include no retrenchment of workers on account of the minimum wage and the settlement of arrears of salaries owed by many states on the basis of N18,000. This also means, as shown by the experience of workers with the N18,000 minimum wage, that labour leaders and workers must be prepared for a serious and sustained struggle to ensure full implementation of a N30,000 minimum wage at all levels. 

Besides, labour must resuscitate the unfortunately long abandoned struggles against casualization of workers with poor pay and slave condition which is common especially in private sector. All private sector workers must be on minimum wage salary structure, enjoy decent condition of service and have right to join a trade union of their choice. 
 
However, N30,000 is far below what can be called a living wage. Indeed, labour had originally demanded N66,500 before coming down to N30,000 at the tripartite committee. Serious struggle can win concessions. But the complaints of the employers and governments, especially state governors, illustrate the stack reality is that no government can guarantee living wage for every worker within the confines of unjust and exploitative capitalist system. This is why we have consistently called on labor movement to form and build a mass party of working people with a socialist programme, or join the SPN, with aim of building as a mass party that will wrest power from the thieving capitalist elites, run governance and economy on the basis of needs of vast majority, not greed of a few; and begin to end the rule of the iniquitous capitalist system.

Also importantly, we call on trade unions and workers to fight for adequate funding of quality public education, health care and provision of social infrastructures in order to reduce cost of living and the increase the disposable income of workers. However, achieving this cannot be guaranteed by any pro-capitalist government like that of the APC and PDP. Therefore, this further underscores why we invite workers and trade union activists to support our call for the building of a mass working people party on a socialist programme.

Abiodun Bamigboye

Acting National Chairperson

Chinedu Bosah

National Secretary

 

2019 Elections: SPN Ajegunle canvases support of ENL/Terminal dockworkers

Comrade Moshood Oshufurewa SPN candidate addressing the workers

On Saturday January 19 over 50 sacked workers under the auspices of the ENL/Terminal Dock Workers Forum  gathered at the Nigeria Union of Teachers hall at Oregie Oja, Ajegunle to review their struggle against the management of ENL, a maritime company, and advance the way forward.

On Wednesday 23 January, 2019  the first hearing of the 688 Dock workers versus ENL case will come up. 

Members of SPN and DSM in Ajegunle have been supporting the workers with various  solidarity actions since the struggle started.

Gerard (leader of the group) address its members on the three years struggle they have been into since March, 2016.

According to Gerard, the management has recently filed  its  defence to the Industrial Court over this matter. In addition, he reported the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed and published in This Day December 21, 2018.

The SPN candidate for Lagos House of Assembly representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2 comrade Moshood was given the audience by the workers.  He spoke on the need to support SPN electorally and also why workers should join the party to collectively build it as a working people political alternative.

Coming together as working people is a  fundamental step towards  wresting power from the hands of the capitalist elites which are responsible for the privatization of the Nigerian Sea Port and the economic at large inflicting hardship on people.

Other members of SPN  including Dagga Tolar who were also at the meeting spoke and encouraged the workers to join SPN. Not only as members but to give active support to put an end on the rise of poverty, suffering and hunger under the system of inequality.

Dagga Tolar addressing the workers

The new SPN flyer with the campaign program  was also circulated in the meeting . 

The meeting was use as an opportunity to invite all the dock workers to attend the SPN Declaration/Kick off Rally that was to take place the following day Sunday 20/1/2019.

SPN calls on all workers, artisans, traders, youths and the masses in Ajegunle and beyond  to support the party's activities and join the in order to build the Socialist Party of Nigeria as a mass fighting party on a socialist program to end the iniquitous capitalist system and build a better society.

Join DSM to build SPN. Socialist Change is possible.

Davynovich Fidel

2019 Elections: SPN Ifo Intensifies Campaign Activities

Last week the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) Ifo Chapter Ogun State held two campaign rallies to canvass for election of comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto as member of Ogun State House of Assembly, Ifo constituency 2. 

On Monday January 7 the campaign rally went through  Akute, Isasi, Alagbole and Ajuwon while it was the turn of Okearo and Agbado areas of the state.

 So far the campaign which was flagged off on December 15, 2018 with a mass rally has covered three out six wards in the constituency. It has addressed mass of people including traders, artisans, youths, community people at various rallies and public meetings in addition to door-to-door campaigns. Tens of thousands of handbill, written in English and Yoruba, articulating a clear and alternative program of how to fight to bring developments to the constituency with social and physical infrastructure in a terribly poor state  

Everywhere the campaign has visited, we could feel the palpable anger against the capitalist status quo represented by APC, PDP, APM and ADC and a burning desire for an alternative.

2019 Elections: SPN Continues Door-to Door Campaign in Alimosho

Members of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) campaigned in Alimosho on a door-to-door mobilisation in Aboru/Akinola/Pleasure area of Alimosho Lagos. The campaign was well received by many. Comrade Chinedu Bosah is the candidate for Alimosho Constituency 01, Lagos State House of Assembly Election. 

Some who initially demanded money to support the party did not only retreat after getting to know about SPN manifesto but also showed interest to join. Some of the people  were visibly happy since SPN is challenging other bourgeois political parties. 

Nine persons showed interest in the party and put down their names and phone numbers for further discussion.

Aside circulation of the SPN fliers, Chinedu/SPN campaign posters were posted in the Community. Unlike APC and other bourgeois parties whose supporters destroys opposition posters (SPN as well) and post theirs, we posted side by side other posters, we are showing these parties how politics are conducted. 

We have been on campaign trail since early December 2018 without any rancour, hence the ruling elite in Lagos and APC should learn from SPN.
Join the Campaign, Join and Build SPN, Rescue Nigeria.