By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called for a new minimum wage of ₦500,000 for Nigerian workers, citing the rising cost of living and growing economic pressures facing workers across the country.
National Deputy President of the NLC and President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, made the demand at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Amba, who represented NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the timeframe for the implementation of the current ₦70,000 minimum wage negotiated between labour unions and the Federal Government expired in July.
He said the expiration of the agreement provides an opportunity for labour and the Federal Government to begin fresh negotiations on a new minimum wage.
“So we want to enter into another negotiation with the federal government to request at least N500,000 to be paid to the nation’s workers as the new minimum wage,” Amba said.
Labour Seeks Fresh Wage Negotiation
Amba said the current economic situation had made it difficult for workers to meet their basic needs, arguing that any minimum wage below ₦500,000 would not adequately address the challenges facing Nigerian workers.
He stressed that the demand was aimed at improving workers’ welfare amid prevailing socioeconomic difficulties.
The NLC deputy president, however, clarified that the labour unions’ demand should not be viewed as a confrontation with the Federal Government.
He said the unions were seeking a fresh negotiation that would allow both parties to review the minimum wage in response to the current realities facing workers.
Kebbi Governor Backs Wage Demand
The summit, which attracted about 1,000 delegates, brought together labour representatives and other stakeholders to discuss issues affecting workers and trade union leadership in Nigeria.
Amba commended Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, for providing an enabling environment for the summit.
Declaring the summit open, Governor Idris recalled that Kebbi was the first state to implement a ₦75,000 minimum wage for its workers.
He also pledged to present and champion the unions’ latest demand at a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The proposed ₦500,000 minimum wage would require a fresh negotiation between labour and the Federal Government before any new wage structure can be adopted.
Share this
