The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to initiate an annual review of the national minimum wage due to the prevailing inflationary trends and the devaluation of the Naira.
Mr. Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, made this plea during the 2nd National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum held in Abuja, organized by the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA). Ajaero emphasized the necessity of reconsidering the current five-year cycle for minimum wage adjustments, highlighting that inflation erodes the value of negotiated wages over time. He advocated for a more flexible approach, suggesting yearly adjustments based on inflation rates and currency value fluctuations.
Expressing discontent over the inadequate implementation of the N35,000 minimum wage by the federal government, Ajaero noted that many federal workers were yet to receive their January salaries. He called upon the government to expedite the implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with organized labor to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, commended NECA for collaborating with the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to organize the forum, emphasizing its role in promoting dialogue and peaceful industrial relations.
Sen. Dike Plang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity, highlighted the forum’s significance in fostering sustainable industrial relations in Nigeria.
He assured that the national assembly would prioritize the comprehensive review and amendment of existing labor laws to align with international standards. Additionally, Plang commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the tripartite committee to review the minimum wage for workers, acknowledging efforts towards addressing labor-related challenges.
