The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to approve the proposed minimum wage of N250,000 to match the current inflationary trend in the country.
The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the demand in a statement, citing the need for a wage increase to cushion the effects of inflation on workers’ purchasing power.
Ajaero argued that the current minimum wage of N30,000 is grossly inadequate and has been eroded by inflation, making it difficult for workers to make ends meet.
He also pointed out that the proposed N250,000 minimum wage is in line with the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage, which comprised representatives from the government, employers, and labour.
The NLC warned that failure to approve the proposed minimum wage may lead to industrial unrest and protests, as workers are already struggling to survive due to the harsh economic conditions.
“The NLC president also criticized the previous administration for failing to implement the minimum wage, which was supposed to take effect in 2020.
He said, “The last administration failed to implement the minimum wage, and we are hoping that this new administration will do the right thing.
“We are giving the government an ultimatum to implement the minimum wage before the end of the year. If they fail, we will take action.”
The NLC also threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the government fails to meet their demands.
The labor union also called on the government to address other issues affecting workers, including the payment of arrears, promotion, and improved working conditions.
The government has yet to respond to the NLC’s demands, but a source in the presidency said that the government is considering the proposal and will make a decision soon.
The minimum wage issue has been a contentious one in Nigeria, with labor unions demanding a higher wage to reflect the country’s current economic reality.
The current minimum wage of N30,000 was implemented in 2019, but labor unions have argued that it is grossly inadequate due to the country’s high inflation rate.
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