The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted plans by state governors to pay what they deem fit to Nigerian workers as the minimum wage.
The Congress said the notion was not only dictatorial but also undermines the very essence as well as the model adopted for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
The NLC also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had promised to pay a living wage to Nigerian workers, not to allow himself to be blackmailed or boxed into a corner by “unpatriotic” governors.
NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, in a statement, yesterday, titled ‘Governors Cannot Dictate What to Pay’, said the concept of a national minimum wage was not arbitrary, as it represents a national wage floor, a baseline below which no worker in the law should be paid.
This threshold, he said, was a collective agreement that ensures a minimum standard of living for every worker in the land. He said the governors’ demand to unilaterally determine the minimum wage negates the principle and threatens the welfare of Nigerian workers and the national economy.
Upah lamented that the pursuit by many governors to pay workers whatever they like deepens poverty and causes varying dimensions of insecurity.
He said the fate of Nigerian workers could not be left solely in the hands of employers, whether public or private, stressing that no sane society does that.
He said what the governors were asking for was akin to allowing numerous companies and organisations in Nigeria to pay workers whatever they like.
According to him, 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.
He urged the Federal Government to stop dithering on the issue of the national minimum wage because of the gang up by some selfish governors.
Upah said the Congress urges the governors to abandon any inclination towards dictatorial practices, noting that the process remains a tripartite one.
Accordingly, he called for policies and actions driven by equity and fairness. The NLC chief said ensuring a fair minimum wage was not only a matter of economic justice but also a fundamental aspect of maintaining social stability and national cohesion, adding that Nigerian workers should not be reduced to beggars.
He added: “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 realise that workers’ salaries substantially drive the economy. Not surprisingly, they prioritise their greed over the needs of ordinary citizens.”
“We are deeply concerned by this blatant display of ignorance regarding the global best practices for a national minimum wage by some of these governors. It is evident that despite their frequent travels abroad, they have deliberately chosen not to educate themselves on fundamental global issues crucial to successful governance. This level of self-imposed ignorance on basic industrial relations matters illustrates why our nation is poorly governed, resulting in the unacceptable suffering of Nigerians. For this set of governors, we recommend a return to school for proper education, as they constitute a threat to our democracy.
“The governors are carried away by their present structure of security detail but the sword of Damocles awaits them on exit from office.”
