The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised some state governors for failing to implement the newly approved minimum wage and the associated consequential adjustments.
Speaking at the 6th National Gender Conference organised by the NLC’s National Women Commission on Tuesday in Abuja, NLC President Mr. Joe Ajaero described the situation as alarming.
The conference, themed “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality: Imperative for a New NLC Gender Policy”, brought together labour leaders and stakeholders.
Ajaero noted that, due to inflation and increased taxation, some workers now earn less than they did before the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 was announced.
“This is becoming unbearable. Even electricity bills can wipe out a significant portion of that salary. For a committed worker clocking 20 to 24 days a month, ₦70,000 barely lasts. School fees are rising, transportation costs have worsened, and inflation is surging,” he said.
He decried the inconsistent implementation of the minimum wage, stating: “In some states, workers receive just ₦5,000 more, which defeats the purpose of consequential adjustment. At the national level, we negotiated ₦70,000, but the consequential adjustment process did not involve the NLC.”
Ajaero also disclosed that federal civil servants were yet to formally report complaints about salary shortfalls to the NLC leadership.
“Many workers are quietly lamenting the implementation gaps of the new wage,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the NLC Women’s Commission, Mrs. Salamatu Aliu, represented by Deputy Chairperson Mrs. Deborah Yusuf, noted that Nigerian women continue to face workplace discrimination, harassment, and exclusion from leadership roles.
“The NLC has taken deliberate steps to promote women’s leadership within trade unions, as outlined in our Gender Policy,” she said. “We are currently updating this policy in line with global gender trends.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Vanessa Phala, Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to workers’ rights and gender equality. Represented by Senior Programme Officer Mrs. Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, Phala said the ILO would continue supporting the NLC in its gender equity efforts as part of the global Sustainable Development Goals.
