Edo NLC joins others to protest against minimum wage bill

The Edo State chapter of the labour unions including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) among others joined the nation’s organised labour on Wednesday to kick against the proposal by the National Assembly to transfer the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

The Edo State chapter of the unions made their position known in a peaceful protest to the state’s House of Assembly in Benin City.

Speaking for the protesters, Sunny Osayande, state council chairperson of NLC, said they decided to join their colleagues nationwide to protest against the bill seeking to transfer the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent legislative list.

Osayande said the implications of the bill would give, “license for state governors to drag the country back to the era of ridiculous slave wages which in the past had precipitated multifarious industrial crises in different parts of the country”.

According to him, “The exponential creation and expansion of a community of the working poor with all the attendant consequences for socioeconomic cohesion, stability and progress, and it could lead to the exclusion of the private sector(both organised and unorganised) from the concept, rationale and logic of a national minimum wage, yet, it is in this informal sector that horrendously unfair labour practices take place.”

“We write to inform the honourable speaker that a private member bill moved by honourable Garba Datti Mohammed representing Sabon Gari federal constituency of Kaduna state and sponsored by a few governors was on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, rushed through first and second readings,” he added.

“The bill seeks the transfer of the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent legislative list. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on constitution review.

“When presented to your state House of Assembly, we appeal to you to intervene to guide the members of the House and refuse assent.

The Clerk of the Assembly, who received the protesters at the state House of Assembly, Audu Omogbai said he would convey their message to the speaker.

According to him, “When he comes, he will look at the of your request.”

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