The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Joe Ajaero, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks about the new minimum wage adjustments. During a recent meeting with governors and members of the national assembly, celebrating the nation’s 25th Democracy Day, President Tinubu articulated that the government would endeavor to provide salaries that reflect what it can feasibly support.
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“Senate president, deputy senate president, you will be notified if there are any changes to my stance on the minimum wage. Our commitments are tied to what Nigeria can realistically afford,” President Tinubu stated, emphasizing the need for fiscal prudence.
In response, Benson Upah, the spokesperson for the NLC, criticized this approach as contradictory to President Tinubu’s earlier promises of implementing a ‘living wage,’ which goes beyond the basic minimum. In a detailed interview with The Punch, Upah highlighted the critical need for the government to fulfill its pledge, citing the current economic conditions that affect the livelihood of millions.
“There is a broad consensus that the government must meet the labor force’s demands based on practical realities. The President’s current stance seems at odds with his initial commitment to improve the living standards of Nigerian workers,” Upah explained.
SEE ALSO: New Minimum Wage Discussions: NLC Sets Firm Stance
This ongoing dialogue between the government and labor representatives continues as they seek to finalize the terms of the new wage policy. Previously, the federal government proposed a revised minimum wage of N62,000, signaling a significant increase from past figures. Meanwhile, states like Zamfara have already started implementing the N30,000 minimum wage, up from the N7,000 previously received by some workers, according to the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
