The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the commencement of negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage in 2024 would be based on the prevailing cost of living in the country.
Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this at the ongoing 19th edition of the NLC 2023 Harmattan School, organised by the Congress on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme of the event is “Building Workers’ Skills for Policy Engagement”.
The Harmattan School is part of the NLC National Schools where it trains and empowers members of its affiliated unions through skills development.
Ajaero, represented by Mr Benjamin Anthony, Vice-President of NLC, said it was necessary for the government at all levels to recognise that life and living conditions are exceedingly difficult.
“The removal of subsidies on petroleum products has further worsened the challenges faced by working people.
“That is unleashing severe pain and contributing to galloping inflation and increasing inequality and poverty.
“We must reckon that a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce has a positive impact on productivity and national development.
“As we anticipate the commencement of negotiations for the National Minimum Wage in 2024.
“We seek the understanding of all stakeholders to ensure that we use this opportunity to arrive at a minimum wage commensurate with the prevailing cost of living,” he said.
He said that the ultimate goal, though, is to establish a living wage that covers the cost of living and make allowance for some savings by the workers.
Ajaero said that the recent assault on workers and their leaders in Imo poses a grave threat to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
“This is as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining.
“This should unequivocally be condemned by all people of goodwill. The only thing that can assuage our pains is for the Imo Government to address all labour issues.
“They are also to return the so-called ‘ghost workers’ to their jobs, pay all outstanding salaries and pensions and call back all victimised workers to their jobs,”he said.
On the theme of the event, he said it was apt given the importance of skill and knowledge in policy processes and engagements.
“In the ever changing world of work, as trade unions, we should prepare ourselves to engage with the employers in the workplace and government in the interest of the workers and the masses.” NAN
