The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Abuja asked the National Assembly to work with the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage to establish mechanisms for regular and systematic review of wage levels to ensure they keep pace with inflation and cost of living.
President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, made the call in a goodwill message delivered at the national retreat on โLabour reforms and the quest for a living wage in Nigeria: A focus on legislative interventionsโ, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.
Ajaero urged the lawmakers to โreview and update our labour laws to reflect the realities of todayโs economy and protect our people.
โThis includes ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against unfair labour practices. We call on the National Assembly to join us in calling on the executive to transmit to the Assembly the bill on the reviewed labour administration laws which had gone through the tripartite process some years back but seemed to have been impounded by the executive.
โNASS should work with the tripartite to establish mechanisms for regular and systematic review of wage levels to ensure they keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.
โWorkers are not beggars neither are they slaves. We create wealth and we deserve a healthy portion of it. The present angst in the country can only be assuaged by reasonable income to Nigerian people and workers.
โOur lawmakers should lay more focus on strengthening social security systems to provide a safety net for workers during times of economic hardship, unemployment, or health emergencies.
โSeek ways to make laws for effective social dialogue which will foster an inclusive dialogue between the government, employers, and labour unions to ensure policies are balanced, fair, and effectively address the needs of all stakeholders.
โThe 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.โ