IndustriALL Global Union, Africa has commended Nigeria’s Federal Government Executive Council for the constitution of a National Minimum Wage Committee to kick start the process of negotiation for a new wage for Nigerian workers urging all stakeholders to negotiate a new living wage for what he called “impoverished African workforce”. The commendation was contained in the press release by the Vice President of IndustriALL Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, mni in commemoration of the 2017 Africa Day (May 25th!) yesterday. Comrade Aremu, who is a NEC member of NLC also commended the South African government for embracing the policy of National Minimum Wage following long agitations by South African trade unions and workers adding that it “was better late than never.”
Africa Day is celebrated annually on 25 May within the African continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963 and the African Union (AU) in 2002, as well as chart the progress made by the continent since then to advance democracy, peace, stability and socio-economic development.
The theme of this year’s Africa Day is “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in Youth”. 2017 Africa Day presents a unique opportunity to discuss and reflect whiles celebrating important milestones on youth development across the continent.
Comrade Aremu called on Africa leaders to pay more attention to Africa’s youth and urgently address their concern which is Jobs and Decent Jobs. He said this is the only way to retain them in the continent and stop their unnecessary migration to Europe for any kind of jobs with millions dying in the Mediterranean Sea. He described the mass exodus of African youths to Europe and America as “unacceptable mass voluntary slavery” adding that it was caused by unemployment and miserable pay to African workforce.
Calling for all-inclusive development consistent with Agenda 2063 of the Africa Union (AU) Comrade Aremu urged African youths to occupy the political space as being witnessed in Europe and other continents and lead the renaissance of African continent countries.
He called on trade unions in the continent to explore ways to increase young people’s confidence and integration within trade union structures in line with the theme of 2017 Africa Day.
Comrade Issa Aremu, mni
