Nigeria Labour Congress NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the Federal Government’s approved salary increments, calling them “mischievous.”
On Tuesday, the Federal Government approved a pay rise of between 25 and 35 percent for civil servants across various consolidated salary structures. Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television program, Ajaero proposed a living wage of N615,000 for civil servants, underscoring that it should sustain basic needs without causing poverty or the need to borrow.
The National Assembly legislated on the issue, but discussions stalled as the Federal Government declined to reconvene the adjourned meeting, leading to frustration among labor unions. The announcement of a potential wage increase was deemed misleading by the NLC and TUC, as no official increment had been confirmed. Despite the inauguration of a Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage in January, the government has yet to implement the committee’s recommendations.
The current minimum wage of N30,000 was highlighted as insufficient to support the average Nigerian worker’s well-being, with concerns raised over some governors not adhering to the wage award that expired in April. The Minimum Wage Act of 2019, signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, stipulates a review every five years to align with economic realities.
Organized Labor proposed a living wage of N615,000 for civil servants, emphasizing that this amount is essential to sustain a decent standard of living. A breakdown of the proposed living wage includes allocations for housing, utilities, food, medical expenses, education, transportation, and other essentials, totaling N615,000.
