The organised labour on Friday lambasted some state governors canvassing payments of minimum wage based on capacity of their respective states, saying the concept of a national minimum wage is not arbitrary.
According to Torizone, governors from the southern part of Nigeria, under the aegis of the Southern Governors' Forum, had called for the consideration of the cost of living and the ability of each state to pay in reaching an agreement on the new minimum wage.
The governors, who expressed their views at a conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State's capital, also called for each state to negotiate the new pay with labor unions.
However, in response to the development, members of organized labour, including the NLC and the TUC, stated that the governors' proposal was not only authoritarian, but also undercut the essence and model used to establish a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
Upah continued, "It is unfortunate that workers' salaries are frequently viewed as charity rather than the hard-earned income of hardworking Nigerians."
"It is as unfortunate that some of these governors fail to recognise that worker earnings have a significant impact on the economy. Not unexpected, they prioritize their avarice over the needs of ordinary people.
"The fate of Nigerian workers cannot be put entirely in the hands of employers, public or private. No rational society does that.
"What the governors are asking for is equivalent to allowing countless enterprises and organizations in Nigeria to pay their employees whatever they want.
"While these corporations may not pay the same compensation, they must comply to the national wage level, which should also apply to state governors.
"We ask President (Bola) Tinubu, who pledged a living wage (higher than the minimum wage), not to be intimidated or boxed in by unpatriotic governors.
"We urge the federal government to stop dithering on the issue of the national minimum wage because of the gang-up by some selfish governors."
"As a result, we advocate for policies and actions that prioritize equity and fairness. Ensuring a decent minimum wage is not only an issue of economic fairness, but also a critical component of maintaining social stability and national unity.
"Nigerian workers must not be reduced to beggars!" Enough is enough. Finally, the NLC remains committed to preserving the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers.
"We will continue to work for a just and equal wage structure that reflects the genuine spirit of our country's principles. We urge the governors to join us in this pledge for the good of all Nigerians. "Let democracy flourish," he stated.
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