Politics

Failure to Pay Minimum Wage is a Crime Against Humanity, Deliberate Act of Wickedness – Benson Upah

Published

1 month ago

Dec 6, 2024.

Benson Upah, the Head of Information for the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has in strong terms condemned the failure of some state governors to implement the new minimum wage, tagging it a “crime against humanity.”

In a conversation with ARISE NEWS, Upah expressed his displeasure over the noncompliance of some state governors in fulfilling the signed and passed minimum wage increment bill. He labeled it a catastrophic situation and an act of neglect of their civic responsibility to their workers and the dictates of the law.

The NLC Head of Information condemned governors who have failed to comply with the payment of the new minimum wage, describing the situation as a grave injustice to workers.

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In response to a question about the direct economic harm caused to workers and local economies due to wage noncompliance, Upah stated:

“The damage is monumental; it constitutes a crime against humanity because it has been an act of deliberate wickedness.”

He also mentioned the prolonged delays in wage implementation, specifically pinpointing the expired minimum wage in April 2019, noting that the process to address the issue only started in July this year.

“Quite unfortunately, some governors choose to ignore the law. Some governors acted exceedingly well—for instance, Kebbi and Edo under Governor Obaseki—then other states acted benevolently.

“But, quite unfortunately, some governors, true to their nature, have ascribed to themselves the power of God, actually ‘godnus,’ and have chosen not to do anything.

“This has pitted them against us workers, deepened poverty, and led to an increase in social vices. I would like to say that the damage has been existential.”

He further emphasized that after the passage of the minimum wage law, it was the duty of the governors to engage local union leaders, such as the TUC and NLC state councils, to discuss an appropriate wage quota that would not fall below the new minimum wage.

“Two issues here: First, after the passage of the law, it was incumbent upon the governors to sit down and negotiate with the local union leaders—TUC, NLC, and state councils—and together, arrive at what the state would pay, of course, not lower than the minimum wage.”

Upah also suggested the NLC’s potential next steps in pressuring the governors to comply. He detailed the strategy for strike action, which involves the withdrawal of services:

“At the basic level, this strike entails the withdrawal of services, and it will continue until significant action is taken. Beyond that level, we have pressures from different sectors and the Congress urging the governors to do the needful.”

He highlighted the disparity between the low wages workers are receiving and the wasteful spending habits of some governors:

“To not pay the minimum wage is nothing to be proud of. We are talking about 42–43 dollars. It is unimaginable, given the reality of our situation.

“Some governors would have the courage not to pay speedily, while the same governors would not hesitate to spend hundreds of thousands on trivialities, such as giving even 100,000 naira to their side chicks to make their hair. It’s not something to be proud of.”