Labour Threatens Strike Action Against Minimum Wage Deregulation

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning of a potential one-month strike in response to the National Assembly’s intentions to deregulate the Minimum Wage.
This development precedes a scheduled meeting on Thursday between President Bola Tinubu and organized labor leaders.
During the 67th Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association Annual General Meeting in Lagos, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, cautioned legislators against the proposal to transfer control of workers’ wages from the Exclusive to Concurrent list in the Constitution.

He stated that should lawmakers proceed with this initiative, he would rally workers to demonstrate against the proposed constitutional amendment and bring Nigeria’s economy to a standstill for a month.
Ajaero expressed, “While we are gathered here, a Joint Committee comprised of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Judiciary is in deliberation. Their objective is to remove Section 34 from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent list, granting state governors the authority to determine remuneration, consequently eliminating the concept of a minimum wage.

“Upon conclusion of their discussions, they may very well receive the minimum wage – that much I guarantee. The very instant the House of Representatives and the Senate endorse legislation that is detrimental to Nigerian workers, they will become the subjects of their chauffeurs and gatekeepers, resulting in a complete economic standstill for one month.
“Comrades, I urge you to be prepared. If such a policy is enacted by the committee, there shall be no public presence for a month. They pose a significant threat to democracy in this nation. Democracy should not entail deprivation and punishment. This is not the democracy we strived for.
“They were absent during our struggle for democracy, and now they endeavor to enact laws that would strip the minimum wage of its exclusivity. Therefore, comrades, as I address you today, I implore everyone to brace themselves. We anticipate the introduction of such duplicitous legislation. Henceforth, let them abolish the discretionary security fund.”