The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will soon commence negotiations with the Federal Government for a new national minimum wage, insisting that the current N70,000 wage is no longer sufficient to meet workers’ basic needs.
The call comes as the Network of Abuja Left Groups urged Nigerians to support organised labour’s demand for a minimum wage of at least N500,000, warning that failure to reach an agreement could worsen the economic hardship facing citizens.
Speaking at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, NLC President Joe Ajaero, represented by the union’s Deputy President, Audu Amba, urged workers to prepare for fresh negotiations with the government.
Ajaero maintained that rising inflation and the increasing cost of living had made the current wage inadequate, stressing that anything below N500,000 would not sufficiently cater to workers’ needs.
The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, represented by the Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, also said worsening economic conditions had severely reduced workers’ purchasing power. He cited rising food prices, transportation costs, rent and inflation, while urging employers to comply with labour laws and improve workers’ welfare.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, expressed support for the demand for improved wages, saying Nigerian workers deserved better remuneration and welfare. He pledged to support efforts toward securing improved pay for workers through the Governors’ Forum.
Meanwhile, the Network of Abuja Left Groups described the minimum wage dispute as more than a struggle involving public servants, saying it was a broader fight for economic survival and dignity.
The group, in a statement signed by representatives of six civil society and socialist organisations, urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory and Nigerians across the country to support organised labour as the August 11 deadline approaches.
It argued that an increase in wages would boost workers’ purchasing power and stimulate economic activity by increasing patronage of farmers, traders, transport operators, artisans, landlords and small businesses. The group added that soaring prices of food, transportation, electricity, cooking gas, rent, medicines and school fees had significantly eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
