The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for a review of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, insisting that the current figure can no longer meet the needs of workers in the prevailing economy.
The call was made by the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, during a chat with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
He argued that most workers are unable to meet their basic needs based on the ₦70,000 minimum wage as a result of galloping inflation, rising costs of food, transportation, housing, and other essential services.
The NLC official added that the Labour Union is already negotiating with the government to review the minimum wage and would not hesitate to embark on a strike if negotiations fail.
Naija News recalls that President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Minimum Wage Bill into law in July 2024, raising the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.
“The truth is that ₦70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation.
“Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen.
“We have since engaged the Federal Government on this matter at different times and fora.
“It is our hope that the government would see both the economic and moral obligations to do so expeditiously,” he said.
We Want Living Wage
Speaking also, the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Shehu Mohammed, said that during earlier negotiations, the figure presented to the government was ₦250,000 as a reasonable benchmark.
He argued that workers deserve a living wage and not just minimum wage.
Mohammed also commended some state governors who have been paying more than the ₦70,000 benchmark, saying the action of such Governors should serve as a wake up call for the federal government as well.
“Right from the beginning, during the negotiation, our demand was for a living wage, and we submitted ₦250,000 as a reasonable benchmark.
“We told the government that anything short of that, only takes a worker to the gate of the office, not back home,” he said.
He explained that with high electricity tariffs, transportation, and food prices skyrocketing, ₦70,000 has lost its value.
“Let’s be realistic. Even if you pay electricity bills out of ₦70,000, what remains cannot sustain a family for 10 days,” he added.
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