By Francis Ogwo
The national minimum wage may have been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari almost two years ago but not all states in the country have implemented the new wage regime.
Recall that following series of negotiations, the new minimum wage was signed into law by President Buhari in April 2019, followed thereafter with more negotiations on consequential adjustments which was concluded with the Federal Government in September that same year.
The President of Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2nd Youth National Delegates conference.
The event had the theme ‘Young Workers, Trade Union and the Future of Work.’
According to Wabba, workers in the country have over the years suffered greatly in the hands of employers stating that all machineries must be working to ameliorate their plights.
Wabba said: “Almost two years after the new national minimum wage was signed into law, some state governments have refused to pay despite the prevailing inflation. I call on our young comrades to see the fight against wage injustice and sub-standard living conditions as your own fight.
“You are the greatest beneficiaries of improved wages and conditions of living because you will enjoy these benefits longer than older workers. So, roll up your sleeves, dust up your jeans, strap on your sneakers and get ready to be in the front of the barricades.”
The NLC Boss also stressed that the increasing evolution in the the world of work has imposed daunting challenges on Nigerian workers and trade unions especially with the emergence of platform businesses and the reality of their iron clench resistance against unionization.
The national minimum wage for federal workers in Nigeria was pegged at N30,000 in 2020, which as of the current exchange rate in December, 2020 equals to about 79.5 U.S. dollars.
