By Dada Ahmed.
Without mincing words,in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) stand as pivotal forces in the labor movement, dedicated to advocating for workers’ rights and welfare.
Established in 1978, the NLC emerged from the merger of four major trade union federations, while the TUC traces its roots back to 1950, evolving through various transformations to align with Nigeria’s changing socio-political landscape.
Experience reveals that these two influential unions collaborate extensively to safeguard the interests of workers through collective bargaining, advocacy, and representation.
Infact,their efforts extend beyond negotiating fair wages and improved working conditions to influencing labor-related policies and legislation.
Recently, their successful negotiation with the Nigerian government resulted in a significant increase in the minimum wage of the Nigerian workers, a victory celebrated nationwide.
An average Nigerian will be entitled to N70,000 minimum,a great leap from N30,000 it was about 10 years ago. It will be effective as soon as the Senate passes it and the president signs it into law.
However, amidst this achievement lies a critical concern: the exclusion of retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) from benefiting from these wage increments.
Ironically,CPS pensioners belong to the Nigria Union of Pensioners,NUP,an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Unlike their counterparts under older pension schemes, CPS retirees have consistently been left out of salary increases since 2007. This omission ,keen labour observers regret jeopardizes their financial security and fails to recognize their contributions during active service.
Adamu Muhammad, a retired CPS beneficiary, voices his apprehension: “While I appreciate the efforts of the NLC and TUC in securing higher wages for workers, CPS retirees like myself fear being overlooked once again.
Generally speaking,retirement benefits are essential for maintaining a decent standard of living but in the case of CPS retirees, this is far from the reality,”he said.
Legal experts argue that including retirement benefits in minimum wage calculations is not just a matter of economic equity but also a legal and moral obligation of the federal government.
They stress the importance of upholding commitments made to retired workers, regardless of their pension scheme.
Economic analysts support this stance, stressing the potential positive impact on consumer spending and overall economic stability.
They assert that fairness and equity dictate that retirement benefits should be integral to minimum wage considerations.
Moving forward, there is a compelling need for dialogue and negotiation between labor unions and the government to ensure comprehensive inclusivity in minimum wage adjustments.
This entails revisiting existing laws and policies to explicitly incorporate retirement benefits for all retirees.
The NLC and TUC, alongside stakeholders and the public, must continue to advocate vigorously for policy reforms that prioritize retirees’ rights.
By fostering public awareness and support, they can exert pressure on policymakers to rectify these disparities and uphold social justice for all workers, past and present.
In all, the journey towards equitable treatment for retirees under the CPS is a crucial step in honoring their lifelong dedication to public service.
It is imperative to emphasize the strong need for collective responsibility to uphold dignity beyond work, a cause championed by the NLC and TUC in Nigeria’s evolving labor landscape.
Furthermore, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) must intensify its efforts to achieve the goal of ensuring that pensioners, especially those under the new scheme, are included in the implementation of minimum wage for workers in Nigeria as an affiliate of NLC.
Ahmed, publishes The Reporters.
