By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the National Assembly to collaborate with the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage to establish processes for regular and organized assessment of wage levels, ensuring they align with inflation and the cost of living.
During a goodwill message at the national retreat on “Labour Reforms and the Quest for a Living Wage in Nigeria: A Focus on Legislative Interventions,” organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged lawmakers to update and modernize labor laws to reflect today’s economy and protect workers.
“This includes ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against unfair labor practices,” Ajaero stated. “We call on the National Assembly to join us in urging the executive to transmit to the Assembly the bill on the reviewed labor administration laws, which had gone through the tripartite process some years back but seem to have been stalled by the executive.”
He continued, “The National Assembly should work with the tripartite to establish mechanisms for the regular and systematic review of wage levels to ensure they keep pace with inflation and the cost of living. Workers are not beggars nor slaves. We create wealth and deserve a fair share of it. The current discontent in the country can only be alleviated by providing reasonable income to Nigerian people and workers.”
Ajaero also urged lawmakers to strengthen social security systems to provide a safety net for workers during periods of unemployment, health emergencies, and economic hardship.
He emphasized the need for legislation that promotes effective communication among the government, employers, and labor unions to ensure policies are fair, balanced, and meet the needs of all parties involved.
“The legislature should make laws that encourage continuous investment in education and vocational training to equip our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic and evolving job market,” Ajaero concluded.