There are significant signs that organised labour will argue for N500,000 as the minimum salary as the zonal public hearings on the new wage structure begin today (Thursday) in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Abuja.
In an interview with Arise TV on February 11, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, indicated that if existing inflation continued, organised labour may advocate for a new minimum salary of up to N1 million for Nigerian workers.
However, a top NLC official stated on Thursday that based on suggestions presented by state chapters to the congress’ headquarters, organised Labour may seek N500,000 at today’s gathering.
The public hearing on the new minimum wage, which will take place simultaneously in all six geopolitical zones, is expected to hear from organised labour, state governors, ministers, civil society groups, and the organised private sector about a new minimum wage that reflects current economic realities and workers’ aspirations.
According to reports, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, will preside over the meeting in the North-East, which will be held in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
The South-West hearing, to be held in Lagos, will be chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun.
On January 30, 2024, President Bola Tinubu, through his deputy Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja. The panel, comprising representatives from the federal and state governments, the private sector, and labor, is tasked with recommending a new national minimum wage for the country by April 1, following the expiration of the current N30,000 minimum wage as mandated by law.
Although the tripartite committee has convened several times in Abuja, it has yet to discuss any specific figure for the minimum wage.
However, the President of the NLC, Ajaero, in an interview on Arise TV on February 11, stated that if the ongoing inflation continued unabated, organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to N1m for Nigerian workers.
Ajaero said the demand from organised labour would be influenced by the cost of living which has been increasing since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, notably due to the removal of the fuel subsidy and other policies.
He said, “This N1m may be relevant if the value of the naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues unchecked because 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 (as minimum wage), the exchange rate was about N800/N900 (to a dollar). 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 that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. You will agree with me today that even a bag of rice is going for about N60,000/N70,000 or more.
“A bag of locally produced corn is about N56,000 or more. 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?’’
