The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning of a potential month-long nationwide shutdown in response to the National Assembly’s plans to deregulate the national minimum wage.
This threat comes as Nigeria anticipates a new national minimum wage after extensive negotiations between the Labour unions, the Federal Government, and the Private Sector.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made the union’s position clear during the 67th Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association Annual General Meeting in Lagos.
He highlighted that a Joint Committee of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Judiciary is considering removing Section 34 from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.
This change would allow state governors to set their own minimum wages, effectively abolishing the national minimum wage.
Ajaero warned that if such a law is passed, it would result in significant disruption: “The very moment the House of Representatives and the Senate come up with such a law that will not benefit Nigerian workers, they will be their drivers and gatemen, and there will be no movement for one month.”
He emphasized that the Labour unions would not accept any attempt to impose lower wages, which he described as “slave wages,” on Nigerian workers.
The NLC President argued that wage regulation should remain a national matter, as supported by the International Labour Organisation, which recognizes wages as a national law, not for sub-national entities. He pointed out that decentralizing wage determination would lead to inequality and violate the principle of equal pay for equal work.
Ajaero further noted that some state governors were instigating opposition to the proposed N60,000 minimum wage, despite participating in negotiations with labour representatives.
He also criticized the inconsistency in governance, stating that governors receive the same remuneration nationwide, regardless of their state’s revenue, yet they seek to base workers’ wages on state revenue. He emphasized that any governor making such an argument lacks an understanding of governance and should focus on utilizing state resources effectively for prosperity.
The NLC President reaffirmed that the NLC would resist any legislative attempt to undermine workers’ rights and ensure that all Nigerian workers receive fair and equitable wages.
