Labour Unions Reject Starvation Wages.
Labour Rejects Starvation Wages Amid Minimum Wage Debate
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly stated that it will not accept a minimum wage that equates to a starvation wage. Acting President of the NLC, Adewale Adeyanju, expressed this stance in response to President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day broadcast. The President assured that an executive bill on the Minimum Wage would soon be sent to the National Assembly.
NLC’s Position
Adeyanju emphasized that Nigerian workers would find it extremely difficult to accept any minimum wage that falls short of a living wage. He reiterated that the NLC’s demand remains N250,000, which they consider a concession during the tripartite negotiation process.
President’s Broadcast
In his address, President Tinubu promised to listen to the people and negotiate in good faith with organized labour on a new minimum wage. He mentioned that a new minimum wage law would soon be enacted.
Labour’s Disagreement
The NLC disagreed with the President’s claim that labour leaders were not threatened or harassed. Adeyanju revealed that union leaders faced intimidation from government operatives and propaganda aimed at undermining their position. He called for the President to recognize the true demands of Nigerian workers and reflect them in the executive bill.
Intimidation and Propaganda
Adeyanju accused government officials of surrounding union leaders with armed soldiers during negotiations, contradicting the government’s assurances of non-oppression. He urged the President to understand that many of his officers were working against the interests of the labour unions.
Call for Genuine Action
The NLC urged President Tinubu to harmonize the figures submitted by the Tripartite Committee in favour of workers, considering it a fitting Democracy Day gift. They emphasized that there was no agreement with the federal government on the base figure for a national minimum wage and insisted on their demand of N250,000.
Moving Forward
The labour union reaffirmed their belief that the President, who currently holds the Tripartite Committee’s report, would prepare an executive bill reflecting the true demands of Nigerian workers. They called on the President to demonstrate his commitment to lifting workers out of poverty and to shun advice from those who seek to undermine this goal.
The NLC also rejected the proposed five-year duration of the minimum wage act, emphasizing the need for justice, equity, and fairness in wage policies to ensure Nigerian workers are not trapped in poverty.
Adeyanju concluded by urging the President to fulfill his promise of providing a living wage, which would be a true testament to his commitment to the Nigerian people and the principles of democracy
