As the nation anticipates the announcement of a new National Minimum Wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning, threatening to shut down the country for a month if the National Assembly proceeds with plans to deregulate the minimum wage.
Speaking at the 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized that the minimum wage is a national issue that should not be subject to state-level decision-making.
Ajaero voiced strong opposition to any attempts by state governors and National Assembly members to impose what he described as “slave wages” and poverty on Nigerian workers.
He revealed that a Joint Committee of the Senate, House of Representatives, and Judiciary is currently deliberating on removing Section 34 from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, which would allow state governors to determine wages independently.
Ajaero stated, “As we are here, a Joint Committee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Judiciary are meeting. They have decided to remove section 34 from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List so that the state governors can determine what to pay you and so that there will be no minimum wage again. You cannot decide what you should earn.”
He issued a clear warning: “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.”
Ajaero reiterated the NLC’s stance, stating, “We cannot accept any situation where the governors and the National Assembly members will foist a slave wage on workers and force poverty on the citizens. Organised Labour will not accept it.”
The NLC’s threat highlights the growing tension and potential for significant industrial action if the proposed legislative changes proceed, underscoring the critical importance of the minimum wage issue for Nigerian workers and their representatives.