The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have lamented the poor condition of the Nigerian worker and called for increase over the N70,000 minimum wage currently obtainable in the country.
They made the demand as Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, pledged that the legislative and executive arms of government would address workers’ concerns and create opportunities for growth and prosperity.
According to organised labour leaders in the states, workers were worse off since the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, despite his assurances that he would not only pay the workers a minimum wage but “a living wage.”
The labour leaders said the Nigerian worker faces crippling hardship due to the high cost of prices and soaring inflation, which they added, made the N70,000 minimum wage inconsequential.
The Bayelsa State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Julius Laye, said the Nigerian worker has suffered most under the President Bola Tinubu administration than ever before.
Laye, outlined several factors that had negatively impacted workers, which he said, made the new minimum wage grossly inadequate.
Laye said, “You know that the government introduced several taxes, and the hike in tariffs has impacted the workers negatively. The economic policies and the removal of subsidies have led to hyperinflation, so the minimum wage has become inadequate.
“Even the minimum wage is not enough to cover Medicare. Incidentally, they have money to fly out to seek better medical attention, but the Nigerian workers do not have the means to do so.
“We are worse off in this administration than we had ever been at any other time.”
His Ebonyi state counterpart Chairman of the NLC, Prof. Oguguo Egwu, and that of the TUC , Comrade Igwe Chidi, lamented the continuous economic hardship workers face in the state.
They said Nigerian workers were looking forward to an increase in the National Minimum Wage Act, which provided a review every three years since the current N70,000 implemented by Governor Francis Nwifuru was no longer enough to meet their needs.
Egwu, said the theme of this year’s Workers Day celebration was ‘Reclaiming a civic space amid economic hardship’, adding that the suffering in the country was unprecedented.
“It’s a day to celebrate our workers, it’s a day we honour our past heroes, those who have struggled for the workers in the world to emancipate them from the shackles of the leaders. The good thing about this year’s celebration is that we will give awards to deserving Ebonyi workers who posted outstanding performances in service, while also maintaining the code of the civil service.
“We have the opportunity to bring veterans to educate them on the theme of this year’s celebration. The hardship in Nigeria, not just in Ebonyi State, is unprecedented. If you look into the face of a typical Nigerian worker, it is filled with wrinkles, darkened, deep and of course every face of a typical Nigerian worker tells the story of a multi-dimensional poverty.”
Similarly, Niger State Chairman of the TUC, Ibrahim Gana, accused the Federal Government for creating the pathetic state of workers, saying the soaring inflation had destroyed the gains the little increase in the minimum wage brought to the workers.
“The situation of workers is pathetic. The electricity tariff, the pump price of petrol, the transportation and every other thing has taken all the minimum wage again. The multiplying effects of these are weighing on the workers. It’s just as if we are not even working. You collect your salary as if you didn’t even get it and then coupled with all the hardship, all the inflation,” Gana said.
Also, the Rivers State NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, said inflation in the country, was responsible for the high cost of goods and services were the major challenges facing the Nigerian worker.
“It’s inflation and the high cost of goods and services in the country, these are the major challenges because despite the salary increase workers are still struggling to survive.
“All employers of labour should improve on what they have done. I think there is a need to immediately review the minimum wage again, considering the economic situation,” he said.
Imo NLC chairman, Comrade Chigaemezu Nwigwe, also bemoaned the fate of the Nigerian worker, whom he said was grappling with mounting bills with small resources.
Nwigwe said, “The economy is biting hard on Nigerians, including Imo workers. You can attest that the promises and assurances of improved packages are not reflected, as the minimum wage is a major issue every worker is facing.
“The present government assured us that they were going to give us a living wage during the negotiations and that made us negotiate and agree on what we did. But it is becoming very difficult in the face of the removal of fuel subsidy, Imo is not an exception. That’s the plight of every worker but we believe that every government will come and go.”
Also, the Lagos State Chairman of the NLC, Funmi Sessi, expressed deep concern over the rising cost of living, deteriorating public services, and the lack of effective government action.
“This year, we have witnessed hardship in the civic space like never before. “Are we talking about accommodation, transportation, healthcare, education, or even feeding? Prices keep rising, and nothing is being done to ease the pain,” she said.
It is the same story of lamentation in Ogun the state TUC Chairman Akeem Lasisi said there was “little to celebrate” despite the approved N70,000 minimum wage last year.
“As workers, we face numerous challenges in this economic climate, including hyper-rising living costs, stagnant wages, and job insecurity.
“Additionally, we have limited access to essential social services such as healthcare, education, and other social welfare programmes,” Lasisi said.
Speaking in the same way, the Chairman of NLC, Benue State chapter, Terungwe Igbe, said, “I will say that the minimum wage increased the workers’ financial status in one way but the effect is that the prices of goods, especially food items, are way ahead of the salary.”
Chairman of Edo NLC, Bernard Egwekhide, said it was clear that Nigerian workers had not fared well under the present government due to the harsh policies.
He, however, added that the Edo State government has already set up a committee to look at workers’ wages in the near future.
The Kwara State chapters of the NLC and TUC also decried the woes of workers in the state.
The state NLC chairman, Comrade Saheed Olayinka, said, “We thought that the removal of the fuel subsidy would make life better for the workers but the reverse is the case.”
Also, the state TUC boss, Comrade AbdulRaman Onikijipa, said, “What is happening to the workers in the country is beyond lamentation.”
Meanwhile, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, commended Nigerian workers for their productivity, diligence, commitment to duty and resilience even in the face of socio-economic challenges.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor pledged that under the current administration of President Tinubu and his leadership of the 10th National Assembly no Nigerian worker would be victimised in the course of his duty.
