The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will soon reopen negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage, insisting that the current N70,000 wage is no longer enough to meet workers’ basic needs.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, over the weekend, where he said organised labour would demand a minimum wage of at least N500,000.
Ajaero, who was represented at the summit by the NLC Deputy President, Audu Amba, attributed the demand to rising inflation and the increasing cost of living across the country.
“Anything less than N500,000 cannot cater for workers. The current minimum wage is due for review, and we will soon begin negotiations with the government,” he said.
The development comes as the Network of Abuja Left Groups urged Nigerians to support the demand for a new minimum wage, warning that failure to reach an agreement with the Federal Government could worsen the economic hardship facing citizens.
Also speaking at the summit, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, represented by the Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, said prevailing economic conditions had significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.
Osifo cited rising food prices, transport fares, rent and inflation as factors that had made the N70,000 minimum wage inadequate.
He also called on employers to comply with labour laws by ensuring fair remuneration and improved welfare for workers.
The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, pledged his support for the demand for improved wages, saying Nigerian workers deserved better welfare.
“We must work together to improve the welfare of workers. As a member of the Governors’ Forum, I will support efforts to secure better remuneration for them,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Network of Abuja Left Groups, in a statement jointly signed by representatives of six civil society and socialist organisations, said the minimum wage dispute should not be viewed as an issue affecting only public servants.
The group described it as a broader struggle for economic survival and dignity, urging residents of the Federal Capital Territory and Nigerians across the country to support organised labour as the August 11 deadline approaches.
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The statement, signed by Omole Ibukun of Creative Change Centre and Akande Daniel of Anti-Imperialist Nigeria, among others, argued that an increase in workers’ wages would boost purchasing power and stimulate economic activity.
According to the group, higher wages would benefit farmers, traders, transport operators, artisans, landlords and small business owners through increased consumer spending.
It added that the rising cost of essential goods and services, including food, transportation, electricity, cooking gas, rent, medicines and school fees, had substantially reduced the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
