New Minimum Wage Demands May Be N1m – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said its minimum wage demands may rise to N1 million per month if economic woes persist.

In an interview on Arise TV on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero cited growing inflation and currency devaluation as major motivators.

According to Ajaero, if the economy continues to suffer, its demands for a minimum salary might increase to N1 million per month.

He said: “This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. The demand of Labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society.

“You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000, the exchange rate was about N900. As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more.

“Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living and we have always said it that our demand will be based on the cost of living index.

“You’ll agree with me that a bag of rice is about N60,000 to N70,000. Foodstuff is getting out of reach. Now, are we going to get a minimum wage that will not be enough for transportation even for one week?

“We have to factor in all these issues. And that will determine the federal government’s commitment to these negotiations,” he said.

Ajaero’s remark coincides with impending threats of strikes.

The Federal Government and Organised Labour, the National Labor Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are scheduled to meet today to debate measures in response to a 14-day strike warning.

The unions accuse the government of violating their previous agreements, including temporary wage awards for workers.

He said: “Only one month of the N35,000 naira was paid to civil servants. Also, there is no evidence of payment of any N25,000 paid as palliative to workers. That’s what led to what’s happening in the humanitarian ministry.

“No farmer has come to say that he received fertilisers from the government. I don’t know whether the fertilisers are for sale, or cultivation,” he added.