NLC Vows to Resist NASS Plan to Decentralize Minimum Wage

NLC Vows to Resist NASS Plan to Decentralize Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the National Assembly’s proposal to transfer the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list, allowing individual states to determine their workers’ wages. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the move as “an exercise in futility” and a calculated attempt to undermine the national minimum wage structure .

Why NLC Opposes the Plan
The NLC argues that the issue of minimum wage is a national matter, treated globally as such in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. According to Ajaero, decentralizing the minimum wage would.
Weaken the national minimum wage structure:By allowing individual states to set their own wage structures, the national minimum wage framework would be compromised.
Shift labour-related responsibilities to states:This would include the establishment of state industrial courts to handle wage disputes, potentially violating ILO principles.

Decentralization
If the National Assembly proceeds with the plan, the NLC has vowed to:
Mobilize workers to protest:The labour union would resist any attempt to undermine the minimum wage, potentially leading to widespread protests.
Challenge lawmakers to allow state-determined wages for themselves: Ajaero questioned why lawmakers would want to impose state-determined wages on workers while enjoying federally determined salaries themselves .

The NLC’s opposition to the decentralization of the minimum wage highlights the complexities of labour relations in Nigeria. As the National Assembly considers this proposal, it remains to be seen how the labour union’s resistance will shape the outcome. One thing is certain, however: the NLC will fiercely defend workers’ rights and the national minimum wage structure .