Minimum Wage: Labour Rejects Governors’ Bid to Take Over Negotiations
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have firmly rejected the Southern Governors’ Forum’s proposal to decentralize minimum wage negotiations to state governments.
The NLC condemned the suggestion as “unfriendly and anti-worker,” emphasizing that allowing states to set their own minimum wages would harm workers’ welfare.
The controversy erupted after The PUNCH reported on Friday that the Southern Governors’ Forum proposed that states should independently negotiate the minimum wage for workers.
During a meeting on Monday at the Ogun State Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, the forum resolved that wages should reflect the cost of living, as stated in a communique signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Vice-Chairman Prof Charles Soludo of Anambra State.
The meeting was attended by prominent governors, including Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Hope Uzodinma (Imo), among others.
The governors unanimously agreed that the minimum wage should be reflective of the cost of living and that each state should be allowed to negotiate its own minimum wage.
Meanwhile, the Presidency appealed to Nigerians to be patient, assuring them that the Federal Government would transmit the proposed bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly once ready.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged the public not to put unnecessary pressure on the President.
Organised Labour remains steadfast in its demand for a national minimum wage of N250,000, despite state governors’ concerns that even the proposed N62,000 by the Federal Government would lead many states into debt. President Bola Tinubu has called for more time for consultation on the matter.
NLC National Treasurer, Akeem Ambali, asserted that governors lack the authority to negotiate the new minimum wage, which is mandated by law.
Ambali advised governors to focus on implementing the national minimum wage rather than attempting to negotiate with labour on a state level.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the Minimum Wage Act, which ensures a national standard for workers’ wages.
Ambali also criticized the lack of transparency in governors’ salaries and suggested that their earnings should be subject to public negotiation.
He urged President Tinubu to recommend the new minimum wage to the National Assembly after thorough consultation with Organised Labour, based on realistic data and statistics.
NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, reiterated that the national minimum wage is a collective agreement ensuring a minimum standard of living for all workers, and allowing governors to unilaterally determine it would undermine this principle.
The TUC’s Deputy President, Dr. Tommy Etim, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the national minimum wage is a constitutional issue and should not be negotiated by state governors.
He urged workers to remain resolute and confident that the Federal Government would fulfill its obligations.
