Adebayo Adenrele
...urge National Assembly to expedite Labour Law review
The Organised Labour in Ekiti State under the auspices of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have said that the prevailing economic hardship in the country has rendered the N70,000 minimum wage valueless, ineffective and insignificant.
The Unions expressed concern over the soaring cost of goods and services, stating that the economic situation has further made Nigerians vulnerable to hunger and poverty.
They made these remarks on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti during a press briefing heralding the 2025 May Day celebration, themed “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship”.
Ekiti TUC Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, lamented that the prevailing economic conditions have made it difficult for citizens to afford basic necessities or maintain a decent standard of living.
He stressed that the theme of the celebration underscores the need to safeguard civil liberties and the right to associate freely, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Adigun also called on the National Assembly to hasten the process of reviewing Nigeria’s outdated labour laws, which he said continue to suppress workers’ rights and limit the expansion of civic space.
His words, “The current inflation and economic hardship have eroded the value of the proposed minimum wage. Enough of the hypocrisy.
“This year’s theme is timely. It is about our freedom of expression and association whether with political parties or lawful organisations, as enshrined in our constitution.
“It’s unfortunate that labour laws in Nigeria remain largely colonial and repressive. These outdated laws undermine our rights under Section 40 of the Constitution. For years now, we’ve been pushing for a review, yet the process remains stalled.
“If it were about changing the national anthem or increasing lawmakers’ allowances, it would take just days. But critical legislation that affects the everyday lives of workers continues to be ignored. The National Assembly must act swiftly”.
In his remarks, Ekiti NLC Chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, appealed to the state government to revisit the cases of disengaged staff of Ekiti State University (EKSU), who were dismissed due to irregularities.
He also urged electricity providers to improve power supply in the state, noting that stable electricity would play a vital role in enhancing security and economic productivity across Ekiti.
