THE NIGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed strong disapproval over the failure of some state governors to implement the new national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, raised the concern during his address at the 6th National Gender Conference organized by the NLC National Women Commission on Tuesday in Abuja.
The conference, themed: “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality: Imperative for a New NLC Gender Policy,” highlighted critical issues affecting workers, including wage disparities and gender inequality.
Ajaero noted that due to taxation and inflation, some workers currently earn less than they did before the introduction of the N70,000 minimum wage.
He described the situation as increasingly unbearable, citing rising electricity tariffs, transportation costs, school fees, and inflation as major challenges.
“If a diligent worker attends duty for 20 to 24 days a month, the N70,000 wage is entirely depleted — this is the current reality,” he stated.
He added that the “non-implementation of the minimum wage is one of the gravest injustices against workers. In some states, workers receive a mere N5,000 increment, rendering the consequential adjustment meaningless. The NLC negotiated for N70,000, yet we were excluded from discussions on its implementation. This exploitation of workers is unacceptable.”
Ajaero further revealed that federal civil servants had yet to formally report their grievances regarding salary discrepancies to the NLC leadership, despite widespread discontent.
In her remarks, Mrs. Salamatu Aliu, Chairperson of the NLC Women’s Commission, highlighted the persistent discrimination, harassment, and underrepresentation faced by women in workplaces and society.
Represented by Mrs. Deborah Yusuf, Deputy Chairperson, she emphasized the NLC’s commitment to advancing gender equality through policy reforms and leadership inclusion.
“The NLC has taken deliberate steps to promote women’s participation in trade unions, as outlined in our Gender Policy. Currently, we are reviewing and updating this policy to align with contemporary gender trends,” she said.
Mrs. Vanessa Phala, Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for Nigeria, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to workers’ rights and gender equality. Represented by Mrs. Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, Senior Programme Officer, she pledged ILO’s support for the NLC in achieving gender equity as part of global sustainable development goals.
The NLC continues to advocate for fair wages and equitable treatment of workers nationwide, urging state governments to comply with the approved minimum wage structure. (NAN)
