In the face of the immense inflation that has ravaged Nigeria’s social and economic status quo, there has been a major uproar as regards the need for an increase in the country’s minimum wage to suit the price surges. Prior, Nigeria’s minimum wage was averaged at N28,000 per month and recently reached N30,000 after the Federal Government’s approval in 2019. However, the minimum cost of living which has overtime risen above the minimum wage has caused a major catastrophe, where most workers have been unable to attain their ends meet.
On this, the federal government has again assured the Nigerian workers that it would swiftly commence the process that would ensure the implementation of an approved new wage bill before May 2024. Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President who was standing as the special guest of honor at the 13th quadrennial delegates conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which held in Abuja, was critical in blaming the elite class for their roles in always playing up the negative aspects of Nigeria’s diversity.
NLC expresses fear of serious crisis if FG does not address the challenges.
He pointed out that rather than laying blamed on the masses, it was the upper class that must accept that ethnicity and religion should not play a poignant role in shaping the country’s affairs. The Vice President further encouraged workers against being discouraged by the predicaments they have faced in their struggle for improved welfarism and a better olive option, noting that the power of the people could or should never be ignored. The Nigeria Labour Congress however expressed fear in regards to the likelihood of a serious crisis if the government does not address the economic and social challenges caused by the fuel and naira scarcity.
Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, whilst addressing the workers, disclosed that the federal government was in the process of reviewing the N30,000 minimum wage. He applauded the outgoing administration of the congress and its methods in protecting the interests and welfares of all workers. He explained that the outgoing congress leaders were audible during the National Minimum Wage Negotiation which led to the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, where the country’s minimum wage was reviewed. He indicated that the Congress’ leaders also attained the outflowing Consequential Adjustment for All Public Servants.
Present situation in the country described as overtly unbearable.
With the tightrope situation that the country has been caught in, the NLC described the present situation as overtly unbearable. The Outgoing President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, emphasized that the organized Labour was concerned about the imposed labour that the masses have had to face as a result of the finance and energy policies. He criticized the government’s policy of limiting withdrawal amounts from legitimate bank accounts. He also lamented about the issue of fuel scarcity.
Mr. Wabba however reemphasized the position of the Congress to resist any attempt at the withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products or the privatization of public owned health and education sectors. On the plight of workers, Wabba indicated that the present inflation had rendered the salaries of most workers useless. He then called on the government to review the Minimum Wage Act whilst criticizing the pay inequality within the civil service. He said that the social sector in the country needs swift intervention, especially the health and educational sector.
No need for championing privatization of the education sector.
The Outgoing NLC president indicated that the present stream of leaders were majorly products of free and quality education and as such, no need for championing privatization of the education sector. He further explained that the privatization of education would further deprive more people of quality education, as a result of the increased price. He also indicated that the medical tourism race was really underwhelming and thus, urged the federal government to improve the medical sector by providing needed and technologically advanced facilities.
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New minimum wage to be implemented by 2024. – Federal government in the process of reviewing the N30,000 minimum wage. – Express your point of view.
The majority of workers have been unable to make ends meet as a result of the minimal cost of living, which has gradually increased above the minimum wage.
Extreme price increases have wreaked havoc on Nigeria’s social and economic status quo, and as a result, there has been a lot of commotion about the need to raise the minimum wage.
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The argument that the country’s minimum wage needs to be raised in order to keep up with rising prices has sparked a significant amount of public outrage.
Most workers have been unable to make ends meet as a direct result of the disaster produced by the minimum cost of living rising over time and surpassing the minimum pay.
The incoming NLC president, there is no need to advocate for the privatization of the education sector because the current crop of leaders are all the beneficiaries of free and high-quality public education.
the improvement of the health care industry by the provision of facilities that are both functional and up to date with the latest technology from the federal government.
New minimum wage to be implemented by 2024. Federal government really need to increase the minimum wage of workers. #18,000 is too small
Because the cost of living has steadily risen to levels that are higher than the minimum wage, the vast majority of employees have not been able to earn enough money to cover their basic expenses.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has voiced concern about the possibility of a catastrophic crisis if the government does not address the economic and social difficulties brought on by the shortage of petroleum and the naira.
The elite are the ones who need to concede that issues of race and religion have no business being central to national politics.
A catastrophic crisis, according to the Nigeria Labour Congress, might occur if the administration does not address the social and economic problems brought on by the scarcity of petroleum and the currency.
The establishment must accept that racial and religious concerns have no place at the table of national politics.
Government needed to start acknowledging the 30,000 minimum wages thing are cost in the country workers are unable to make use of 18,000 to meet their standard of living
it is really good and important the economic and social challenges caused by the fuel and naira scarcity is being addressed. Methods in protecting the interests and welfares of all workers should also be encouraged.
₦30,000 is no more enough to sustain anyone for one month how much more a whole family. Before the implementation of the new minimum wage federal government should review it before pegging it at that.
Government should truly consider increasing the minimum wage because the extreme price increases have severely disrupted Nigeria’s social and economic order.
In this period where inflation is extremely high the federal government of Nigeria should review the ₦30,000 minimum wage before implementing it.
So we need to wait until 2024 before the new minimum wage can be considered. We really need to do better in this country.
The tragedy caused by the minimum cost of living increasing over time and exceeding the minimum wage has left the majority of workers struggling to make ends meet.