NLC is calling for an increase in the minimum wage to $300

At the 2023 meetings of the Separate and Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council held in Goshen City, Nasarawa State, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, chairman of the Trade Union Side of the JNPSNC, put forward a demand of $300 (N436,500) as the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

This proposal was made in light of the continuous devaluation of the naira, which has significantly impacted the purchasing power of the current minimum wage of N30,000. The chairman highlighted the effects of the high exchange rate and the removal of fuel subsidy, which have contributed to the rising cost of living in the country.

As negotiations with the federal government approach, the NLC is advocating for a higher minimum wage to address the financial challenges faced by Nigerian workers.

In light of the aforementioned circumstances, Mr. Anthony has proposed a Living Wage of $300 (N436,500) for Nigerian Workers, citing the depreciation of the country’s currency. He emphasized that the current situation is such that if one were to take N100,000 to the market, they would only be able to purchase a leather bag of items.

Mr. Anthony called upon the Government to promptly pay the arrears of the N35,000 wage award and take immediate action to establish a new living wage, in order to provide relief to the working class.

On the program Politics Today on Channels Television, Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), expressed his dissatisfaction with the inclusion of certain governors in the 37-member tripartite committee on minimum wage, as they are not adhering to the currently approved salary structure.

Mr. Ajaero stated that most of the governors on the committee either do not pay the minimum wage or pay it in violation of the regulations.

He further noted that the governors who are in full compliance with the minimum wage are not adequately represented in the committee, and questioned the reasoning behind the Federal Government’s decision to include those who are non-compliant or in breach of the regulations.