Trade unions threaten month-long strike if National Assembly obstructs minimum wage plans

LABOUR unions have threatened to shut the Nigerian economy down for a month with an indefinite strike to protest against plans by the National Assembly to deregulate the national minimum wage.

Over recent months, Nigeria's National Minimum Wage Committee has been working on negotiations regarding a new rate to reflect current economic realities. Nigeria's current minimum wage of N30,000 ($21) is wholly inadequate, especially in the face of the hyper-inflation tearing the country apart, with labour unions asking for an increment that will guarantee workers are paid a living wage.

So far, the talks have failed to result in an agreement as organised labour, the federal government and the organised private sector have been unable to agree on a new figure. President Bola Tinubu has wadded into the matter lately but still, the three sides remain miles apart on what should be settled for.

In June for instance, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), rejected a proposed N60,000 minimum wage by the federal government, saying they could not afford it. However, the unions have appealed to President Tinubu to set the new minimum wage at N250,000 ($165) per month so it reflects the present inflationary trend in the country and allows workers to live meaningful lives.

Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president Joe Ajaero, has said that if the process is deregulated as being suggested by some members of the National Assembly, organised labour will call a general strike. Speaking on the sidelines of the 67th Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association Annual General Meeting in Lagos, he said workers must be treated fairly.

Mr Ajaero said: “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.

 “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. 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.”

According to the NLC president, the International Labour Organisation recognises wage as a national law, saying it is not for the sub-nationals. He maintained that every country has their minimum wage and some states are paying higher than the basic minimum wage and that is the position of the law anywhere.