The former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has faulted wage exploitation in Nigeria, warning that poor compensation negatively affects national security and economic productivity.
Oshiomhole stated this at the Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the National Institute for Security Studies, NISS, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The former Edo State Governor highlighted how inadequate wages create a cycle of economic hardship, making workers vulnerable to manipulation and radicalization.
He said despite the increase in the new minimum wage recently approved by the Federal Government, Nigerian workers were poorer now than before.
The lecture, titled “National Minimum Wage: Reward System and Productivity in Africa,” was part of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, EIMC 17, aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship among wages, security and productivity
According to Oshiomhole, fair wages were essential to boost workers’ motivation, efficiency, and 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.
