The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made a bold demand for a new minimum wage of N615,000 per month, citing the country’s pressing economic realities and the skyrocketing cost of living.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, confirmed this development on Sunday, marking a significant effort to improve conditions for workers.
The proposed wage increase comes after extensive consultations between the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), both agreeing that the current minimum wage of N30,000 is grossly insufficient to sustain the average Nigerian worker.
Labour leaders expressed concern over some governors’ failure to fully implement the existing wage structure, set to expire in April, five years after the enactment of the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. This Act mandates periodic reviews every five years to align with the changing economic landscape faced by workers.
Both the NLC and the TUC have consistently urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to expedite the process of revising wage awards to address current economic challenges.
In January, the Federal Government formed a 37-member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, tasked with recommending a new wage floor for the nation.
Previously, labour unions proposed varied figures, with the NLC initially advocating for a minimum wage of N1 million, driven by the country’s escalating inflation rates that have pushed many citizens into poverty. Conversely, the TUC proposed a figure of N447,000 per month, while the NLC later adjusted its stance to request N794,000 per worker. However, in their latest submission to the government, both unions jointly proposed N615,000 as the new minimum wage, reflecting a compromise in light of economic challenges.
Labour representatives highlighted the detrimental impact of inflation, which soared to 31.70% as of February 2024, exacerbating the cost of living for Nigerian workers. They argued that state governors are well-positioned to meet the proposed wage increase, given the enhanced monthly revenue allocations allocated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
