In a move that can only be described as callous and disconnected from the realities the average Nigerian worker faces, state governors under the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have rejected the proposed N60,000 minimum wage. This action not only underscores their indifference to the plight of workers but also exposes a deeply troubling mindset that prioritizes personal comfort over public welfare.
The governors’ claim that the proposed minimum wage is “too high and not sustainable” is a slap in the face of hardworking Nigerians who have endured skyrocketing inflation, devaluation of the naira, and a general decline in living standards. It’s particularly galling when juxtaposed with the lavish lifestyles and exorbitant expenditures that these same governors indulge in.
Let’s put things into perspective. While the governors balk at a N60,000 minimum wage, citing that it would consume their entire Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds, the reality paints a different picture. As pointed out by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), FAAC allocations have risen from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion. This begs the question: where is this additional half a trillion naira going, if not towards improving the lives of the people?
The answer lies in what the Trade Union Congress (TUC) aptly describes as the “high cost of governance.” Governors and other political elites are known for their bloated entourages, fleet of luxury cars, foreign trips, and lavish ceremonies – all funded by public coffers. It’s an open secret that corruption siphons off significant state resources. Yet, when it comes to paying workers a living wage, these same governors cry poverty.
Moreover, the governors’ argument about prioritizing infrastructure over wages and workers’ welfare is disingenuous. As TUC’s Tommy Etim rightly points out, “If you build the entire infrastructure and the people are not living to use it, who will use it?” Infrastructure is meaningless if the people it’s meant to serve are too impoverished or overworked to enjoy it.
The hypocrisy doesn’t end there. During election campaigns, these governors shower the electorate with promises and, often, money. The TUC suggests that if these campaign funds were instead used for revenue generation and development, many socio-economic challenges could have been addressed. But once in power, it seems the welfare of the people becomes a secondary concern.
The NLC’s observation that the governors’ public rejection of the minimum wage during ongoing negotiations is “unheard of” and “in bad taste” is an understatement. It’s a blatant disregard for the collective bargaining process and shows a lack of respect for workers’ representatives.
In conclusion, the governors’ attitude towards the new minimum wage is not just disappointing; it’s a betrayal of their mandate. They were elected to serve the people, not to live in opulence while their constituents struggled to make ends meet. If, as the TUC suggests, they cannot fulfill this basic duty, the honorable thing would be to resign. After all, governance is about improving lives and the workers’ Welfare, not just building roads that lead to nowhere for a populace too exhausted and poor to travel them.
Reference
Minimum wage: Resign if you can’t pay, labour tackles govs published in Punch.