Lawmakers in the House of Representatives elected from opposition political parties have urged the Federal Government to adopt a new minimum wage of over N100,000 to address the concerns of organized labor.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, representing organized labour, are advocating for a minimum wage of N494,000, which is significantly higher than the N60,000 proposed by the Federal Government.
Following a string of unproductive meetings last week, organized labor initiated a nationwide strike on Monday, resulting in a halt of economic activities throughout the country.
During an interview on Tuesday, Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, expressed his concern about the plight of the average Nigerian worker. He emphasized that the failure to provide a living wage amounted to a violation of the constitution.
He stated that in Nigeria, any wage below $200 (N298,800) is considered absurd. The Nigerian worker is significantly underpaid, and the government must prioritize the security and welfare of its citizens. Not paying a living wage is a violation of the Constitution, as it disregards the well-being of the people.
It is important to ensure that public and government officers receive their monthly wages, while also considering an hourly rate for private or casual employees. It would be beneficial for the government to resolve this matter with labour unions as soon as possible.
In line with Chinda’s perspective, Oluwole Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Osun State, emphasized the importance of a living wage in helping the majority of Nigerians navigate the challenges posed by the current economic situation.
The Federal Government should consider increasing the minimum wage to N120,000. I believe this is true because a wage increase has various connections, impacts, and outcomes. Nigerian workers deserve fair and adequate wages.
Oluwole, the chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, emphasized the importance of including the private sector in the decision-making process.
Productivity in the private sector deserves our attention. Could the private sector that sustains the government continue to thrive? There is a significant problem that we need to address," he added.
The lawmaker representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, Chinedu Obika, believes that the minimum wage should be at least N150,000, considering the current reality.
Obika, a member of the Labour Party, emphasized the importance of the Federal Government taking into account the inflation rate in the past few years while considering the new wage for Nigerian workers.