The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has disclosed that the organized labour will embark on an indefinite strike if the bill to change the law on minimum wage is allowed to pass.
The bill sponsored by Garba Datti, which has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives has been referred to the House Committee on the constitutional amendment.
The bill seeks to move the minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list. The implication is that the state governments will determine the minimum wage.
“Those sponsoring this bill are the ones instigating crisis. NLC is against this bill. Whatever incentive that has been brought, they should change their minds and stand with the people.
“Governors across the 36 states are earning the same salaries, why are they now finding it difficult to comply with a global standard.
“We have called on the President to ignore the obnoxious bill.”
He added that at a time the US is making moves to increase minimum wage, Nigerian lawmakers are making “obnoxious laws.”
“Do you know the minimum wage in America. It is $10 passed by President Obama (Barrak). When Biden came, the first thing he said is that the minimum wage will be increased to $15 per hour.’
Speaking on behalf of the House, the Majority Leader, Hassan Ado Dogwa assured the union members that the House has noted their concerns.
Meanwhile,
Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on Wednesday, blocked the entrance into government offices in Lagos as they protested against the move by the National Assembly to remove minimum wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s office was blocked during the protest.
It was gathered that the demonstration caused traffic congestion around Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Allen Junction, Ogba, and Agindingbi among others.
