Addressing the 19th edition of the NLC 2023 Harmattan School in Abuja, Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasized that an adequate minimum wage, aligned with the nation’s current economic realities, is non-negotiable.
The NLC’s Harmattan School, a platform fostering skill development among affiliated unions, became a forum for Ajaero, represented by Mr Benjamin Anthony, Vice President of NLC, to advocate for fair compensation amidst rising hardships faced by workers nationwide.
He highlighted the exacerbating challenges, attributing intensified economic difficulties to the removal of petroleum product subsidies. Ajaero underscored that this move has inflicted severe hardships, amplifying inflation rates, and exacerbating inequality and poverty levels across the country.
In his address, Ajaero stressed the critical need for government entities at all levels to acknowledge the increasingly strenuous living conditions. He accentuated the intrinsic link between a motivated and fairly compensated workforce, enhanced productivity, and overall national development.
Anticipating the impending negotiations for the National Minimum Wage in 2024, Ajaero urged all stakeholders to recognize the urgency in aligning the proposed wage structure with the prevailing cost of living. He emphasized the necessity for a minimum wage that accommodates the challenging economic environment and aspires towards the broader goal of a living wage.
In his concluding remarks, the NLC President reiterated the labor union’s fundamental objective: striving for a living wage that not only caters to the cost of living but also enables savings and financial security for workers.
