NLC Should Avoid Demanding For An Unrealistic Minimum Wage That Will Ruin Nigeria – FG

The Federal Government has come out to admonish organized Labour to consider the broader economic implications of its push for an unrealistic higher national minimum wage.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris recently revealed this to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, he N250,000 minimum wage NLC is currently demanding could undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardize the welfare of Nigerians.

He added that there is a need to go for a realistic wage system that safeguards against mass retrenchment while addressing workers’ needs.

His words, “As I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian workers but we keep on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers – a wage system that will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardise the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.

We want the labour unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of an increase in wages.

It will also come as an effort to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians. And this is where programmes like the Presidential CNG initiative come in.

By replacing or complementing petrol usage with CNG, that programme alone will cut transportation costs by as much as 50 per cent.”

WOW.