A Lot Of Things Must Be Considered Ahead Of National Minimum Wage Review – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have listed conditions for the proposed review of the national minimum wage.

The Deputy President, Joe Ajaero recently revealed this while speaking to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the continuous rise in inflation and the devaluation of the naira must be checked before the salary increase announced by the Federal Government could be considered.

He added that a lot of things must be considered in the course of the review, and one can just give figures on the amount at this point in time.

His words, “As we speak now, the price of kerosene, cooking gas, a litre of fuel; any of these items, multiply their cost by 30 days; it is more than the current N30,000 minimum wage.”

“So, it is not necessarily the amount of money or quantum you are going to put that will solve our problem. You have to check the rate at which these items are going up, or else within even a day or two, the money will be used up.”

“I don’t think we should put the cart before the horse.”

“But if they have used the word ‘review’, it then means the tripartite body will meet and factor in all the issues, whether it is based on the cost of living, as we will also look at the inflationary trend and the devaluation of the currency.”

“All these things must be brought to the table in the course of the review. So, one can’t just give figures on the amount at this point in time. If it is a review, I think it will be a comprehensive review in line with the prevailing situation.”