Minimum Wage : NLC kicks As Governors Advocate Different Amount
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reacted to the recent position of the governors on the new minimum wage .
The governors were of the opinion of paying their workers different amount .
The NLC in a statement on Friday by its Head, Information and Public Affairs , Benson Upah , said this notion was not only dictatorial but also undermined the very essence as well as the model adopted for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
The statement added that the pursuit by many governors to pay workers whatever they like deepened poverty and caused varying dimensions of insecurity .
The labour union called on President Tinubu not to allow himself be blackmailed or boxed into a corner by the governors .
The congress also urged the governors to abandon any inclination towards dictatorial practices as the process remained a tripartite one.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is compelled to address the recent statements made by some Nigerian Governors regarding their desire to pay what they deem fit to Nigerian workers as the minimum wage. This notion is not only dictatorial but also undermines the very essence as well as the model adopted for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
“The concept of a national minimum wage is not arbitrary. It represents a national wage floor, a baseline below which no worker in the law should be paid. This threshold is a collective agreement that ensures a minimum standard of living for every worker in the law. The Governors’ demand to unilaterally determine the minimum wage negates this principle and threatens the welfare of Nigerian workers and the national economy.
“It is unfortunate that workers’ salaries are often seen as charity rather than the hard-earned income of hardworking Nigerians. It is equally painful that some of these governors fail to realize that workers salaries substantially drive the economy. Not surprisingly, they prioritize their greed over the need of ordinary citizens.
“The fate of Nigerian workers cannot be left solely in the hands of employers, whether public or private. No sane society does that. What the governors are asking for is akin to allowing numerous companies and organizations in Nigeria to pay workers whatever they like. While these companies may not pay the same salaries, they must adhere to the national wage floor, and the same should apply to state governors.”
“Finally, NLC stands firm in its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers. We will continue to advocate for a fair and equitable wage system that reflects the true spirit of our nation’s values. We call on the Governors to join us in this commitment for the benefit of all Nigerians. Let democracy flourish.”