Workers poorer under Tinubu’s govt despite pay increase – Oshiomhole
The lawmaker representing the Edo North Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Adams Oshiomole, has lamented that Nigerian workers are poorer today despite the increase in the minimum wage by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, made this known while speaking at the Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
Titled ‘National Minimum Wage: Reward System and Productivity in Africa,’ the lecture was part of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, designed to foster a deeper understanding of the leadership among wages, security, and productivity.
Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law in July, increasing the benchmark from N30,000 to N70,000. Since then, state Governors have followed suit, with some surpassing the new minimum wage threshold.
Oshiomhole warns of the consequences of low wages
However, Oshiomhole criticised wage exploitation in the country, warning that poor remuneration negatively affects national security and economic productivity.
The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president further argued that wages were essential to boosting workers’ morale and efficiency, which automatically transformed into overall economic growth.
“Workers face fluctuating salaries and job insecurity, as employers can easily hire and fire employees.
“Despite paying union dues, workers often receive minimal support from trade unions, leading to questioning their effectiveness.
“Historically, the right to organise was suppressed, which limited workers’ ability to negotiate collectively. Industrial sabotage emerged as a form of protest against poor conditions.
“Collective bargaining and the right to strike are essential tools for negotiating fair wages and working conditions. Workers often resort to ‘work to rule’ when rights are restricted.
“Significant disparities exist between minimum and maximum wages across sectors, leading to dissatisfaction among workers. The wealthy often benefit from state protection, while the poor struggle.
“The minimum wage is designed to protect vulnerable workers but is often not enforced. Setting minimum wages too high can risk job losses while setting them too low can lead to exploitation.
“Inflation severely impacts purchasing power, making it difficult for workers to maintain a decent standard of living. Historical comparisons show that many workers are poorer now than in the past, despite nominal wage increases,” he said.
The General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Adeola Ajayi, who echoed Oshiomhole’s concerns, agreed that better wages reduce workers’ vulnerability to abuse and promote national stability.
For his part, Joseph Odama, Commandant of NISS, lauded the Edo senators’ long-standing commitment to labour advocacy, emphasising the importance of fair wages in ensuring sustainable development.
“The national minimum wage is a pressing issue in our economic discourse today, affecting millions of Nigerians and influencing both individual lives and national productivity.
“A well-designed reward system can drive worker motivation, improve efficiency, and promote economic growth, while poorly structured policies can demoralize the workforce.
“To aim for a more equitable society, it is essential to understand the complex relationship between wages, rewards, and productivity,” he said.
