As the country prepares to negotiate a new national minimum wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sought the cooperation of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to work together to provide a living wage for Nigerian workers.
The NLC argued that a national minimum wage anchored on the objective economic realities confronting Nigerian workers was the only acceptable minimum standard.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said this at the second yearly adjudicatory and mediatory forum, organised by NECA, in Abuja.
While being optimistic about NECA’s greater understanding of the interests and well-being of workers under its care during the negotiation, Ajaero said there was also a need to make workplaces more productive and decent work compliant.
Speaking on the theme ‘Strengthening Tripartism and Social Dialogue for a Sustainable Industrial Relations System in Nigeria’, the NLC chief warned all stakeholders involved in the adjudicatory process against the perils of using the mechanism as a tool for intimidation, coercion, or suppression of workers’ rights.
He said the stakeholders, be it the judiciary, employers, or government agencies, workers must unequivocally reject any attempts to subvert the sanctity of the adjudicatory process and undermine the fundamental principles of democracy and justice.
He raised the alarm on the unfortunate use of the “revered” process by some of those who occupy the corridors to undermine the trust reposed on them as the critical stakeholders of workplace relations adjudication.
According to him, in many parts of the country, trade unions are increasingly confronted with the ugly face of the perversion of justice in favour of either employers or government at the detriment of workers and their organisations.
He alleged that specific cases abound where the Courts have allowed themselves to be used to grant injunctions against trade unions by the government to scuttle the rights of Nigerian workers to freely express their democratic rights and privileges.
Citing instances, he said: “We have had to grapple with injunctions given against the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), whose sole purpose was to stop the exercise of our inalienable right to hold a strike or protest which are democratic and fundamental to the very relations that we espouse for our workplaces.
“The abuse of the adjudicatory process not only jeopardises industrial harmony but also poses a grave threat to our nation’s democratic fabric and social cohesion.
When the scales of justice are tipped in favour of powerful interests at the expense of workers’ rights, we sow the seeds of discontent and resentment that can destabilise our society. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the adjudicatory process and ensure that it remains a bastion of fairness, equity, and impartiality.”
Considering the sensitive positions adjudicators occupy in workplaces, Ajaero said it was important actions that allow for the continuous building of sustainable industrial harmony in workplaces were paramount.
He said these required harmony built on workplace equity, fairness and justice stating that anything to the contrary produces sub-optimal outcomes.
He alleged the dangers of creating a dictatorship of the workplace, wherein workers are silenced, marginalised, or deprived of their basic rights and freedoms.
He said such practices not only violate international labour standards but also undermine the very foundations of the nation’s democracy.
According to him, “We cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of workers who are subjected to exploitation, discrimination, or abuse in the name of profit or efficiency.
“As custodians of justice and guardians of labour rights, we have a moral obligation to safeguard the dignity, welfare and well-being of every worker, irrespective of their social status or economic standing. It is only through collective action and solidarity that we can confront the challenges of inequality, injustice and oppression that persist within our society. We must build this solidarity across the tripod to make the world of work better.”
Emphasising the theme, which he said speaks to the pursuit of a harmonious and productive work environment, he said stakeholders needed to recognise the significance of tripartite and social dialogue processes.
The mechanisms, Ajaero said, provide a platform for collaboration and consensus-building among the government, employers and workers, fostering trust and understanding.
However, he argued that it was essential to acknowledge the dangers of infidelity to agreements reached through the processes, as it has the potential to undermine the confidence of social partners in the entire system.
According to him, when agreements reached through tripartite and social dialogue processes are not faithfully implemented, it poses a grave threat to the stability and effectiveness of the nation’s industrial relations system.
He maintained that the trust and confidence built through the processes are essential for fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and social development.
“Infidelity to agreements erodes this trust, leading to a breakdown in communication and cooperation between the government, employers, and workers. This breakdown not only hampers productivity but also creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and discontent among all stakeholders. We have not reached an agreement with the government since October 2, 2023, and the government refuses to implement it months later, we are worried about its negative consequences to the tripartite and social dialogue processes.
“This undermines the credibility of the entire system and erodes public trust in the ability of social partners to address the needs and concerns of the workforce. The potential for social unrest and industrial disputes increases, hindering progress and jeopardising the sustainable development of our nation.”
