Trade Union Side, Joint Meeting of the National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) in Nigeria, has put forth a proposal for a new minimum wage of $300 (N436,500) for Nigerian workers.
Comrade Benjamin Anthony, the Chairman, cited the erosion of the current N30,000 minimum wage due to the high exchange rate and the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy, resulting in an increased cost of living in the country. The proposal aims to address these challenges and provide relief to the working class.
Represented by Secretary Comrade Boma Mohammed, Anthony expressed concerns over the recent delays in salary payments by the Federal Government and urged immediate action to prevent further hardship for workers.
He stated, “In light of the above, Labour has proposed a Living Wage of $300 (N436,500) for Nigerian Workers. This is due to the fall in the value of our currency, today if you carry N100,000 to the market you will come back with a leather bag of items.
“We call on Government to immediately pay the arrears of the N35,000 wage award along with the current and expedited action on the process of getting a new living wage to bring succour to the working class people,” he added.
Additionally, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in an interview session on Channels Television, raised issues with the compliance of governors on the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage, stating that many are not adhering to the proposed base pay structure.
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Recall that Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the committee in Abuja earlier on Tuesday, saying the decision was aimed at ensuring a decent living wage and in compliance with the existing National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which will expire in a few months.
He articulated, ”Most of the governors in the minimum wage committee are those who are not paying minimum wage or paying them in breaches.”
”The governors who are in full compliance with the minimum wage are not adequately represented, so whatever made the Federal Government bring in those who are not compliant or compliant in breaches to form the bulk of the membership of the minimum wage committee from the state government that will unfold with time.”