Anambra Workers Stuck in Minimum Wage Limbo as State Assembly Shows Apathy

 

Anambra Workers Stuck in Minimum Wage Limbo

As the debate over the national minimum wage continues, Anambra State workers are left in a quandary. Even if the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) accept the federal government's proposed N62,000 minimum wage, its implementation in Anambra State remains doubtful.

 

In Anambra, workers endure pitiable conditions and low pay, often less than the current national minimum wage of N30,000. In a recent interview, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero revealed that Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is urging other governors to reject the new minimum wage.

 

Additionally, NLC leader Comrade Benson Upah labeled Anambra as one of the worst states for civil servants, stating that the state still pays a minimum wage of N20,000, despite the federal push for N62,000. This has cast doubt on whether Anambra workers will ever benefit from the proposed wage increase.

 

The situation is exacerbated by the need for state assemblies to enact laws to domesticate the new wage once it becomes national law. The Anambra State House of Assembly, perceived as having little regard for workers' welfare, further fuels these doubts.

 

Tensions have flared between labor unions and lawmakers. An incident during a national strike enforcement exercise saw Anambra lawmakers nearly clash with NLC leaders. In another instance, Assembly workers under the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) clashed with lawmakers during a strike, highlighting the Assembly's apparent disregard for worker welfare.

 

Lawmakers, who receive substantial salaries, appear indifferent to the struggles of everyday workers. During a recent confrontation, Hon. Tony Muobike, representing Aguata II Constituency, berated labor leaders, suggesting Anambra workers are lazy and could be replaced by robots. His comments, which led to threats of physical violence, further illustrate the disconnect between lawmakers and workers.

 

PASAN’s Deputy National President, Comrade Promise Chijioke Onwukwe, led a protest against poor pay and working conditions, accusing lawmakers of exploiting corps members instead of paying staff properly. He described the poor maintenance of the Assembly complex, overgrown with grass and infested with reptiles.

 

Reacting to these protests, Majority Leader Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme deflected responsibility, insisting the protesting staff were under the Head of Service's jurisdiction, not the Assembly’s.

 

Governor Soludo has also campaigned against the new minimum wage, cautioning President Bola Tinubu that it is unsustainable for employers. Speaking at The Platform Nigeria, Soludo warned that approving an unaffordable wage could have serious consequences.

 

Public affairs analyst Mr. Ikenna Nwubaka criticized Soludo’s stance, stating that the governor's attitude towards workers influences the Assembly's actions. He noted that Soludo’s administration has paid workers only N24,000, instead of the national minimum wage of N30,000, and doubts Soludo will support the new wage if approved.

 

The NLC condemned Hon. Muobike’s behavior, with state secretaries Comrades Gaius Chukuka and Alex C. Ebi describing his actions as dishonorable. They recounted an incident where Muobike threatened labor leaders with violence during a peaceful monitoring exercise, calling his behavior intolerant and demeaning.

 

Mr. Tony Okafor, another commentator, called Muobike’s comments dehumanizing and unacceptable, urging him to apologize and engage in constructive dialogue with labor unions.

 

The ongoing friction between Anambra State workers, lawmakers, and the governor leaves many questioning the future of the proposed minimum wage increase in the state. With the current administration's apparent aversion to worker welfare, the outlook remains bleak.