The organised labour on Friday lambasted some state governors canvassing payments of minimum wage based on capacity of their respective states, saying the concept of a national minimum wage is not arbitrary.
Governors from the southern part of Nigeria, under the aegis of the Southern Governors’ Forum, had called for the consideration of the cost of living and the ability of each state to pay in reaching an agreement on the new minimum wage.
The governors, who disclosed their position at a meeting held at Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, also advocated that each state negotiate the new wage with the labour unions.
But reacting to the development, members of the organised labour comprising both the NLC and the TUC, explained that the governors’ notion was not only dictatorial but also undermined the essence and model adopted for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
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The organised labour, who spoke through the Head of Information at the NLC Headquarters, Benson Upah, said the governors’ argument appeared inconsistent when juxtaposed with the remuneration of political office holders.
According to him, there is no hue and cry when political office holders across the nation receive uniform salaries as determined by Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
“This double standards which pits a few privileged against the majority poor is an issue that should be of concern to those who love this country.
“We are deeply concerned by this blatant display of ignorance regarding the global best practices for national minimum wage by some of these governors.
“It is evident that, despite their frequent travels abroad, they have deliberately chosen not to educate themselves on fundamental global issues crucial to successful governance.
“This level of self-imposed ignorance on basic industrial relations matters clearly illustrates why our nation is poorly governed, resulting in unacceptable suffering of Nigerians.
“For this set of governors, we recommend a return to school for proper education as they constitute a threat to our democracy,” Upah stated.
He said the pursuit by many governors to pay workers whatever they like deepened poverty and caused varying dimensions of insecurity.
The NLC spokesman maintained that the governors were carried away by their present structure of security detail but “the sword of Damocles awaits them on exit from office.”
Upah added, “It is unfortunate that workers’ salaries are often seen as charity rather than the hard-earned income of hardworking Nigerians.
“It is equally painful that some of these governors fail to realise that workers’ salaries substantially drive the economy. Not surprisingly, they prioritise their greed over the need of ordinary citizens.
“The fate of Nigerian workers cannot be left solely in the hands of employers, whether public or private. No sane society does that.
“What the governors are asking for is akin to allowing numerous companies and organizations in Nigeria to pay workers whatever they like.
“While these companies may not pay the same salaries, they must adhere to the national wage floor, and the same should apply to state governors.
“We urge President (Bola) Tinubu who had promised a living wage (which is superior to a minimum wage) not to allow himself be blackmailed or boxed into a corner by unpatriotic governors.
“We urge the federal government to stop dithering on the issue of the national minimum wage because of the gang-up by some selfish governors.”
The NLC spokesman called on the governors to abandon any inclination towards dictatorial practices, saying the process remained a tripartite one.
“Accordingly, we call for policies and actions driven by equity and fairness. Ensuring a fair minimum wage is not only a matter of economic justice but also a fundamental aspect of maintaining social stability and national cohesion.
“Nigerian workers should not be reduced to beggars! Enough is enough! Finally, NLC stands firm in its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers.
“We will continue to advocate for a fair and equitable wage system that reflects the true spirit of our nation’s values. We call on the governors to join us in this commitment for the benefit of all Nigerians. Let democracy flourish,” he said.
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