Gom Mirian
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero has announced that negotiations on the new National Minimum Wage in 2024 would be based on the prevailing cost of living in the country.
In a statement made at the NLC 2023 Harmattan School, with the theme ‘Building Workers’ Skills for Policy Engagement,’ Ajaero emphasised the importance of government recognising the exceedingly difficult life and living conditions faced by the citizens.
NLC Vice-President, Mr Benjamin Anthony, who represented Ajaero, reiterated the necessity for government at all levels to acknowledge the challenging realities of day-to-day life. He stated that with the cost of living steadily rising, negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage must take into account, the economic pressures faced by the working class.
He said: “The removal of subsidies on petroleum products has further worsened the challenges faced by working people. It is unleashing severe pain and contributing to galloping inflation and increasing inequality and poverty. We must reckon that a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce has a positive impact on productivity and national development.
“As we anticipate the commencement of negotiations for the National Minimum Wage in 2024, we seek the understanding of all stakeholders to ensure that we use this opportunity to arrive at a minimum wage commensurate with the prevailing cost of living.”
Also, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director to Nigeria, Dr Vanessa Phala, noted that the world of work was undergoing rapid changes, driven by technological advances, climate change, among others.
She noted that these changes were affecting workers and trade unions, thereby posing new challenges and opportunities for collective action and advocacy.
