How much is a fair minimum wage for workers holding off strike?
A list NLC put up showed ₦621,061.37 as what a legislator from the upper house enjoys among other rows of benefits and these have raised many public brows.
Now, Nigeria is set for next week’s D-Day after the labour unions and the federal government agreed that the national minimum wage of ₦60,000 they had proposed should be higher. Reaching this consensus therefore led to holding off the strike until the coming Tuesday at least when an agreeable offer would have been made but what do the unions truly think is acceptable?
All affiliate unions and State Councils are therefore directed to Relax the indefinite nationwide strike and return to their respective workplaces immediately, marks the third item on a list of resolutions the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (NLC) jointly shared communique on 4 June 2024.
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Before going through with a nationwide strike three days ago, the unions were standing on a ₦494,000 minimum wage request although they are willing to compromise if something closer to this gets sent to their table.
Presidential Spokesman Chief Ajuri Ngelale breaks down the potential consequences of Organized Labour's N494,000 minimum wage on citizens pic.twitter.com/XMXX9bAwYb
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) June 3, 2024
The Presidency thinks hovering on this figure would drive unprecedented inflation that breeds a different type of problem so where does an agreeable answer lie? It seems to be in the region of around ₦75,000 to a hundred according to Prof. Kingsley Moghalu’s view on Twitter.
Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Moghalu said that in the debates on national wage in Nigeria, we miss the fundamental point: there is little or no productivity in the economy. If we had a truly productive economy there is no reason we can’t have the kind of minimum wage of 400 or 500K that Labour wants.
But we can’t because the level of productivity in the economy cannot support it. Remember, the minimum wage is not just about government salaries. There are not more than 2, at most 3 million civil servants in Nigeria.
While the conversation about the appropriate wage value is being discussed, there have been thoughts about what Nigerian Senators have been receiving as their entitlements. A list NLC put up showed ₦621,061.37 as what a legislator from the upper house enjoys as wardrobe allowance among other rows of benefits.
As a result of this imbalance, some say, there is a resounding agreement that ₦200,000 should only be the starting point of any offer but what the heart truly wants is a living wage that enables workers to access good meals and also transport.
If 494k isn’t sustainable, can a common man survive with 60k? Please don’t agree with anything less than 100k!, reads a tweet from Ismail Zakx’s profile.
Off the point, Pure Stanley also questioned the Senators earning ₦29,479,749million monthly but then summed up that if the economy of Nigeria still stands despite the maximum looting of the politicians, paying Nigerian workers N100k-400k minimum wage would not harm the economy.
The senates are earning N29,479,749Million monthly, but NLC & TUC demanding N400k minimum wage means they are being inconsiderate and unrealistic.
If the economy of Nigeria still stands despite the maximum looting of the politicians, them paying Nigerian workers N100k-400k… pic.twitter.com/jALmR7MixU
— PURE STANLEY👑 (@PureStanley1) June 3, 2024
Right now, on the quest for better benefits, the only fear the public thinks the labour unions should have is of themselves.
ALSO READ: Hawkish Nigerian Senate bans a member who accused it of padding the 2024 budget
Of not baulking when the deed is almost done and not seeing things through due to backroom compromise. That has been the concern since the Nigeria Labour Congress announced a Tuesday evening relaxation of an indefinite strike that commenced on Sunday.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
