Breaking: NLC Responds To Tinubu’s Democracy-Day Speech, No Agreement On New Minimum-Wage Yet

Breaking: NLC Responds To Tinubu’s Democracy-Day Speech, No Agreement On New Minimum-Wage Yet

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, where he assured a new minimum wage for the workforce but failed to deliver the anticipated announcement on June 12.

Acting President of the NLC, Comrade Prince Adewale Adeyanju, responded on behalf of the union, acknowledging that while the President recounted parts of Nigeria’s democratic history accurately, he seemed misinformed about the progress of the wage negotiation process.

Adeyanju stated that the NLC had expected President Tinubu to harmonize the figures submitted by the Tripartite Committee in favor of workers and the masses, describing such a move as a fitting Democracy Day gift.

Quoting the President, Adeyanju noted: “As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you. In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organized labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less.”

President Tinubu also emphasized his commitment to cooperation over conflict, highlighting that no labor leaders were arrested or threatened during the call for a national strike. Instead, they were invited to negotiate towards a resolution.

Adeyanju appreciated the President’s dedication to democratic ideals, which allowed the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to work without interference despite some challenges. However, he criticized the President’s advisers for misleading him about the wage agreement, stating that no consensus was reached on the base figure for a National Minimum Wage or its components. The NLC’s demand remains ₦250,000, a significant concession by Nigerian workers.

“We are therefore surprised at the submission of Mr. President over a supposed agreement. We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and TUC. There was none, and it is important that we let the President, Nigerians, and other national stakeholders understand this immediately to avoid a mix-up in the ongoing conversation around the national minimum wage,” Adeyanju said.

The NLC Acting President emphasized that the union has not seen a copy of the document submitted to the President and will not accept any altered document. He urged President Tinubu to ensure the Executive Bill reflects the true demands of Nigerian workers, demonstrating his commitment to lifting them out of poverty.

Adeyanju also highlighted instances of intimidation and harassment faced by union leaders, contradicting the President’s assurances. He called for a genuine reflection of workers’ needs in the minimum wage legislation, warning against accepting any figure that amounts to a starvation wage.

“We cannot be working and yet remain in abject poverty. We seek justice, equity, and fairness for all Nigerians and this we hope would also drive the actions of Mr. President who promised a Living Wage to Nigerian workers. This is an opportunity to show that he listens to Nigerians as he promised,” Adeyanju asserted.

In conclusion, the NLC emphasized the importance of building a stronger democratic nation based on equity and prosperity for the majority, warning against the monopolization of resources by a few individuals.