By Ola Kay
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has dismissed the proposal of N100,000 as minimum wage by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, emphasizing that a realistic living wage under the current economic situations should be within the neighborhood as one million naira.
The NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah had said this in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.
Recall that, the NGF, has on Saturday during its meeting with the federal government over the wage increase proposed N100, 000 minimum wage for the workers who currently earn N70,000 per month.
Upah’s response followed remarks s by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who stated that state governors were proposing a new national minimum wage of N100,000. He added that the said amount would afford the sub-national to not only act within its financial capabilities but also allow the state governments to deliver more infrastructure projects to the people.
Also, the Kwara state governor, during the Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, said e governors were already engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that balances workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.
According to the governor, the proposer for the upward review of the wage increase was informed by perennial inflation, increasing cost of living, now causing financial burden on Nigerian workers.
The NLC spokesperson, in his reactions noted that the governors’ consideration of a wage review was commendable in itself, but N100,000 was significantly below what the Nigerian workers needed to eke out living under the current economic realities.
“We consider it thoughtful of the Kwara State Governor for proposing this, but certainly, N100,000 falls far below or behind the realistic figure,” Upah stated.
The NLC spokesperson noted with concern, the continued depreciation of the naira, rising inflation, increase in electricity tariffs, higher fuel prices, declining purchasing power and the burden of new tax measures as factors to be considered for a significant wage review.
He said:“Given the realities around the exchange rate, inflation, raised tariffs, surge in the pump price of petrol and associated costs, decline in the purchasing power of the average worker, effects of the new regime of taxes on our cost of living, the realistic figure, subject to status quo maintenance, would be N1m.”
The NLC leader emphasized that government revenues had improved significantly and should support enhanced remuneration for workers.
“In light of the earnings by governments, this should not be a big issue.
“Check what is being shared at FAAC. The windfall from the Middle East war has put over N5tn in the treasury. Though this is temporary, it is nonetheless very good for governments,” he added.
According to Upah, the workforce remains the most valuable asset of any nation and should be adequately compensated to ensure productivity and economic growth.
“Finally, please note that the greatest asset of any nation is its workforce,” he said.
Recall that, in July 2024, the Federal Government approved a new national minimum wage of N70,000 after prolonged negotiations with organised labour.
While the Federal Government initially proposed lower figures, negotiations eventually produced the N70,000 benchmark, replacing the previous N30,000 minimum wage signed into law in 2019.
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