The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized governors who seek to determine minimum wage based on what they can afford.
The ongoing negotiations between organized labor and the government have reached an impasse, with the federal government proposing N62,000 while labor insists on N250,000.
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to consult before sending the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly has further delayed discussions. However, several state governments argue that even the proposed N62,000 is too high.
In a recent communiqué, the Southern Governors Forum resolved that each state should be allowed to negotiate its minimum wage.
The NLC, in response, condemns this approach, considering it not only dictatorial but also detrimental to the established model for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
The NLC emphasizes that a national minimum wage serves as a baseline, ensuring a minimum standard of living for all workers.
Allowing states to unilaterally determine wages undermines this principle and risks exacerbating poverty and insecurity.
The NLC urges President Tinubu not to yield to pressure from unpatriotic governors and advocates for swift action on the national minimum wage issue. The congress also calls on governors to abandon dictatorial practices, emphasizing that the process remains a tripartite one.
In summary, the NLC asserts that the national minimum wage is not arbitrary; it is essential for workers’ welfare and the overall economy. Governors must recognize the collective agreement that underpins this wage floor and consider the diverse financial realities of different states when making decisions.
Furthermore, the NLC questions the double standards regarding political office holders’ salaries, emphasizing the need for consistency and fairness.
