The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made a bold demand for a new minimum wage of N615,000 per month, citing the current economic challenges and soaring cost of living in the country. This demand marks a significant push for improved conditions for workers, according to NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
The proposed wage increase follows extensive consultations between the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), highlighting the consensus that the current minimum wage of N30,000 is insufficient to sustain the average Nigerian worker amidst rising living costs.
Labour leaders expressed disappointment over some governors’ failure to fully implement the existing wage structure, which is 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 evolving economic realities.
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 established a 37-member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to recommend a new wage floor for the nation.
Earlier proposals from the labour unions varied, with the NLC initially advocating for a minimum wage of N1 million due to escalating inflation rates pushing many citizens into poverty. Conversely, the TUC proposed a figure of N447,000 per month. However, in their latest submission to the government, both unions jointly proposed N615,000 as the new minimum wage, reflecting a compromise amidst economic challenges.
Labour representatives emphasized 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).
