Amidst soaring prices of goods and services, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) asserts that the forthcoming national minimum wage negotiations in 2024 will be shaped by the prevailing cost of living.
Expressing concern over the challenging conditions faced by workers post the removal of fuel subsidies, NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized the urgent need for governments to acknowledge the hardships encountered by workers in both formal and informal sectors.
Ajaero highlighted the adverse effects of the petroleum product subsidy removal, citing its contribution to rising inflation, increased inequality, and growing poverty. He stressed the importance of recognizing the positive impact of a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce on productivity and national development.
“As we approach the commencement of negotiations for the national minimum wage in 2024, we seek the understanding of all stakeholders to ensure a wage commensurate with the prevailing cost of living,” Ajaero remarked.
Deputy President Benjamin Anthony, representing Ajaero, emphasized the ultimate goal of negotiating a new minimum wage—to establish a living wage covering the cost of living and allowing for savings by workers.
Ajaero noted the societal disruption and reduction in public spending on social services since the mid-1980s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) adoption and subsequent neoliberal economic policies. He called for collaboration across society segments to engage governments at all levels in sustained policy discussions.
Addressing the face-off with the Imo state government, Ajaero asserted that resolving labour issues and addressing concerns related to ‘ghost workers,’ outstanding salaries, and pensions were crucial for alleviating the NLC’s concerns.
NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja expressed the increasing hardship faced by workers, emphasizing the delay in salary payments for federal workers. He called for immediate action to combat these challenges, highlighting the unexpected shift of salary payments into collective bargaining issues.
The theme of this year’s Harmattan School, “Building Workers Skills for Policy Engagement,” was discussed in the context of NLC’s commitment to training workers for leadership roles within the unions.
Acknowledging financial constraints due to the fuel subsidy removal, the NLC had scaled down this year’s Harmattan School, excluding participants from other African countries. Chairman of the FCT NLC chapter, Stephen Adalo Knabayi, emphasized the timeliness of the theme, aligning with the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the current state of the labour sector.
Vanessa Phala, the Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), encouraged the NLC and other trade unions to actively participate in the implementation of the Abidjan Declaration, emphasizing policy dialogue on priorities such as productivity growth, skills development, social protection, gender equality, just transition, decent work, and inequality reduction. Phala commended the NLC’s commitment and capacity to engage on these critical issues.
