Labour Lists Seven Key Demands, Calls for Creation of State and Local Government Police

As May Day 2024 approaches, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has presented a set of seven critical demands to the Federal Government. These demands come amid ongoing discussions on minimum wage and growing concerns about insecurity across the country.

Aside from pushing for a new minimum wage, the NLC has also called for the establishment of state and local government police. This move is part of a broader effort to address the escalating security issues in Nigeria. The NLC insists that these changes are necessary to ensure workers’ safety and improve overall public security.

The congress is also adamant that once a new minimum wage is approved, it should be implemented by all levels of government, including state and local, as well as the organised private sector. The current minimum wage, set at N30,000, expired on April 18, 2024, after a five-year lifespan. The anticipated announcement of the new minimum wage on May 1 is a major point of interest for workers across Nigeria.

Earlier in April, organised labour proposed a tentative new minimum wage of N615,000 per month. This came before the Federal Government’s increase in electricity tariffs, which further fueled the need for a wage adjustment. According to an insider from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), these developments are likely to strengthen labour’s position in upcoming negotiations.

The NLC has also outlined other critical issues, including the settlement of pension arrears, the establishment of compressed natural gas conversion centers in all senatorial districts, and fixing the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries. The call for state and local government police is gaining traction, with some state governors already expressing support for this initiative.

In response to these demands, the Federal Government has set up a 37-member panel to recommend a new national minimum wage, chaired by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Aji. The tripartite committee consists of representatives from the government, organised labour, and the private sector. Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the panel to expedite their work and reach a consensus quickly to avoid delays in implementing the new minimum wage.

Meanwhile, a retired Superintendent of Police, Adebayo Alugbin, noted that local government police could be beneficial, as officers would have a better understanding of the local areas they serve. However, senior lawyers like Monday Ubani and Ebunolu Adegboruwa emphasized the need for a solid legal framework to prevent potential abuse by state governors.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has assured that its members will comply with the new minimum wage once approved. MAN’s Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, highlighted that the private sector has always implemented minimum wage changes effectively, indicating their commitment to supporting workers’ rights.