The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of a nationwide protest over rising hardship and attacks on workers’ rights.
NLC leaders met at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to discuss worsening economic conditions.
They declared that Nigerian workers and the poor now suffer “intolerable” hardship due to government policies and insecurity.
The NLC demanded urgent government action to prevent a national collapse triggered by inflation, hunger, and insecurity.
The union also rejected a National Assembly proposal to move labour matters from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.
This amendment would allow individual states to set separate minimum wages and labour laws, weakening federal protections for workers.
NLC President Joe Ajaero described the proposal as “futile” and warned lawmakers against “bastardising” Nigeria’s labour structure.
He said only sovereign nations not states can implement ILO-backed minimum wage standards.
Ajaero accused lawmakers of double standards, saying they won’t allow states to set different salaries for federal legislators.
He warned that workers would resist the amendment at all levels, even during national elections if necessary.
The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to protect the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 approved under current labour law.
Ajaero said many states already pay above the national minimum and are not restricted from doing so.
He argued that decentralising wage laws would hurt workers in weaker or corruptly governed states.
Ajaero stated that no state has refused to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage so far.
The NLC demanded that the National Assembly drop the amendment and respect international labour standards.
Ajaero also addressed delays in local government autonomy and urged the Supreme Court to enforce constitutional compliance.
He blamed weak governance and policy failures for the suffering of millions of Nigerian workers and families.
The union said it would mobilise workers nationwide if the government continues to ignore rising poverty and hardship.
Ajaero insisted that lawmakers must prioritise workers’ rights and stop promoting anti-labour legislation.
The NLC warned it would not allow any attempt to weaken workers’ protections or hijack labour laws.
