Nigeria Workers Should Enjoy Minimum Wage- NLC

Nigerian workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates has stormed the National Assembly complex in Abuja, asking lawmakers to withdraw the bill seeking the removal of the National Minimum Wage from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.
Recall that two weeks ago, the House of Representatives had introduced a bill sponsored by Hon. Garba Mohammed which will allow both the Federal and state governments to freely negotiate the minimum wage with their workers in line with the nation’s federal system. The bill passed its second reading in the House on February 23.

Hundreds of protesters have lamented that the move will not work in their favour. The workers stressed it is an attempt by some state governors and the National Assembly members to short-change them.
The National President of Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, while addressing the Unity Fountain workers in Abuja noted that it is the right of Nigerian workers to enjoy the minimum wage which is in line with the International Labour Organisation.
The protesting workers had forced their way into the National Assembly despite security personnel’s attempts to stop them.
In the absence of both the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representative, the Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi, received the workers.

The President of the NLC Ayuba Wabba reiterated the workers’ demands, noting that if nothing is done to stop the bill’s implementation and instead ensure implementation of the national minimum wage, the organised labour will have no option than to embark on a nationwide strike.
The NLC boss had earlier pointed out that the protest was necessary to ensure that its workers’ rights to enjoy the minimum wage in line with international standards are not infringed upon.
Haven stated their intent. The NLC president and his TUC counterpart presented the letter of protest to both representatives of the Senate President, Sabi Abdullahi, and the House of Representatives, Ado Doguwa.

In response, Hon. Doguwa stated that the House would give listening ears to the concerns of the workers. According to him, the only justice to the bill is to kill it as requested by the workers.
He added that the National Assembly’s leadership would meet labour leaders on Tuesday next week for deliberation on their request.
See photos from the protest.

What is your reaction to the National Minimum Wage’s proposed removal from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list?