|
Listen to article
|
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, says it will oppose any attempt by the National Assembly to remove labour matters, including the minimum wage, from the exclusive legislative list of the Federal Government to the concurrent list, where individual states would determine their workers’ wages.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the vow on Friday at the National Administrative Council, NAC, meeting of the Central Working Committee held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Ajaero, who described the move as an exercise in futility, argued that the issue of minimum wage is treated globally as a national matter in line with International Labour Organisation, ILO, conventions, which regard member countries as entities, not sub-national units such as states.
According to him, the plan by the lawmakers was a calculated attempt to bastardise the national minimum wage structure and shift other labour-related responsibilities to the states, including the establishment of state industrial courts that would independently handle wage disputes, a move he said violates ILO principles.
“The National Assembly should not go into this exercise in futility unless members will also allow their respective states to determine their wages,” the labour leader said.
The people of the South-East have demanded for a constitution that allows rotational presidency and grants full autonomy to local governments in the country.
They made the request during the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the Senate on Friday in Enugu.
Speaking during the exercise, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State noted that the concept of rotational presidency was of paramount importance to the South-East.
The governor said the state believed that adopting a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones would provide every region, including the South-East, a fair chance at the highest office in the country.
Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the idea would foster a greater sense of belonging and national unity.
“Similarly, we propose that governorship should rotate among senatorial zones and legislative seats among constituencies, ensuring broader representation and participation at all levels of governance.
“To further enhance inclusivity, particularly for women, we advocate for one additional Senate seat per state for women and two additional House of Representatives seats per state for women.
