By Bimbola Oyesola
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark Decent Work Day on October 7, experts emphasized the importance of implementation of collective bargaining to achieve wage justice.
An educationist, Mr. Alex Ogundadegbe, commenting as a guest speaker on the occasion organised by the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) to commemorate the 2022 World Day for Decent Work, with the theme “Wage justice”, noted that COVID-19 and ongoing war between Russian and Ukraine have imparted the world
negatively, while government and organisation are not helping the situation as the minimum wage cannot suffice any longer.
Ogundadegbe reasoned that workers clamouring for an improved wages and good working environment should not be ignored.
Reacting to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), he expressed that it is has been proving that strike actions cannot resolve the problems rocking the sector, as past strikes have not given the desire results.
The Educationist stressed that strike actions is fast becoming outdated solution to issues, as protests and rallies can be ongoing, while workers remain at their duty posts.
He urged the union and other labour unions to come up with other better strategies for winning wage justice, as workplaces do not have to be paralysed while engaging the government.
He emphasised that strike actions should not be prolonged for too long in order not to lose its purpose and the public should be continually informed with proper advocacy about the plight of workers.
According to him, a well coordinated communication at all levels of government and also carrying the people along while leveraging on the media can go a long way in solving problems without necessarily going on strike.
He urged the union to adopt other strategies for getting wage justice, stressing that strategic engagement needs to be adopted.
“We are in an election year and they should cash in on this,” he stated.
The President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Oyinkansola Olasanoye said there should a better wage for workers, a wage that is capable to take care of their basic needs, such as education, food, health, shelter, food etc.
She opined that employers of labour are more conscious of making profit, while workers are seen as factor of production that should come into the industry with emotions, sweat, and blood all over them.
Olasanoye said this factor of production should be taking proper care of, as it is easier for them to influence the other factors of production as well as better productivity.
“The basic needs of this factor of production is good wage; a wage that can take them home and also meet their other demands,” she said.