“NLC President Joe Ajaero criticizes proposed changes to Nigeria’s minimum wage laws, warning of ‘slave wages’ and advocating for national unity in wage standards.”
The statement from NLC President Joe Ajaero highlights a significant issue regarding proposed changes to the national minimum wage in Nigeria. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- Proposed Deregulation of Minimum Wage: Ajaero criticizes a proposed law that would remove the minimum wage from the Exclusive Legislative List, allowing state governors to set wages independently. He argues that this move could lead to “slave wages” and perpetuate poverty among citizens.
- Threat of Shutdown: Ajaero and the NLC/TUC have threatened to shut down the country for a month if this legislative change goes through. This is intended as a strong protest against what they perceive as an attempt to undermine workers’ rights and standardize wages across the country.
- Legal and Constitutional Arguments: Ajaero asserts that decentralizing wages would violate the principle of equal pay for equal work, guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution. He also references international standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which advocate for national wage laws.
- Alternative Solutions: The NLC proposes alternative solutions to address economic challenges and ensure fair wages, emphasizing that governors should focus on improving their states’ prosperity rather than citing revenue constraints as reasons for wage disparities.
- Call for Governance Responsibility: Ajaero criticizes governors who argue that they cannot afford to pay minimum wages based on their states’ revenues, suggesting that mismanagement and misplaced priorities might be the root cause.
The NLC and TUC are staunchly opposed to any legislative changes that could weaken the national minimum wage structure, arguing for unity and equity across Nigeria in terms of workers’ wages. Their stance reflects broader concerns about economic inequality and worker exploitation in the face of proposed deregulation.
