The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage is no longer sufficient to meet the economic realities facing Nigerian workers, describing it as a “poverty wage” amid the country’s rising cost of living.
The labour union has therefore called on its affiliates, state councils, and workers across the country to prepare for what it described as a major campaign for a new and improved national minimum wage.
According to the NLC, persistent inflation, increasing food prices, high transportation costs, and the rising cost of essential goods and services have significantly eroded the purchasing power of workers, making the existing wage inadequate for decent living.
The Congress stressed that the welfare of Nigerian workers must remain a national priority, insisting that salaries should reflect prevailing economic conditions rather than remain stagnant while living expenses continue to climb.
Labour leaders maintained that workers deserve fair compensation that enables them to provide for their families and cope with the country’s economic challenges. They urged members nationwide to remain united and ready to support efforts aimed at securing a realistic and sustainable minimum wage.
The latest position by the NLC signals the possibility of fresh negotiations with the Federal Government and other stakeholders over wage review, as organised labour intensifies pressure for improved workers’ welfare.
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The development is expected to reignite national discussions on labour rights, economic reforms, and the urgent need to protect workers from the effects of inflation and declining purchasing power.
