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Minimum Wage Debate: Tinubu Throws a Lifeline To Organised Labour

Published

4 months ago

Jul 12, 2024.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep concern for the welfare of Nigerian workers, declaring that his administration is prioritizing their needs.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Tinubu made this known while speaking with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and that of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) led by Comrade Festus Osifo, on Thursday in Abuja.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu noted that workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions.

However, President Tinubu called for realistic expectations regarding the minimum wage amidst the N250,000 organised labour demands from the government.

He said, “I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And society depends on the productivity of the happy worker,” the President said.

“You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalize on the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.”

“Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two? Why not three years? What is a problem today, can be eased up tomorrow. There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”

Speaking at the meeting, the NLC President, Comrade Ajaero, emphasized the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, stating, “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”

Ajeoro also congratulated the President on the Supreme Court judgement affirming local governments’ constitutional rights regarding financial autonomy and other salient principles.

He added, “I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy. We have been in the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you.”

Similarly, the TUC President, Comrade Osifo, said inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to kick in to give citizens relief.

He said the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses will help check the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports will bring down the prices of food items, if adequately implemented.

He added, “We commend you on the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgement, we believe Nigeria will make progress.”

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