NLC Rejects Proposal to Decentralized Minimum Wage Negotiations 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced strong opposition to recent suggestions by politicians advocating for the decentralisation of minimum wage negotiations.

Mr. Adebayo Aribatise, Secretary of the NLC in Oyo State, expressed his concerns during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ibadan.

He argued that decentralising these negotiations could disadvantage workers in certain states.

In recent discussions, several politicians have proposed decentralised wage negotiations. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a former Governor of Ekiti State, has been a notable advocate, suggesting that states should individually negotiate wages with their labour unions rather than following a federal mandate.

Fayemi, reflecting on his tenure as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, emphasized the varied economic capacities of different states, implying that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable.

Fayemi pointed out that only a small fraction of the population directly benefits from centralised minimum wage policies. He argued that state-level negotiations could better address local economic conditions and disparities.

However, Aribatise strongly disagreed with this viewpoint, stating that such a move would not be in the country’s best interest. He highlighted that several states have yet to fully implement the existing N30,000 minimum wage, despite the NLC’s efforts at both national and state levels.

Aribatise warned that granting states the autonomy to negotiate wages could lead to abuse by some governors.
“The law mandates states to adhere to the national minimum wage, and it is crucial that the federal government continues to set this standard,” he said. “If left to their own devices, some governors may exploit this freedom, resulting in substandard wages for junior workers.”

In conclusion, Aribatise underscored the importance of maintaining a national minimum wage to ensure fair and consistent compensation for all workers across Nigeria.