News: Workers Hail N56,000 Minimum Wage Proposal - Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) - Civil servants in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have praised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for pushing for N56,000 as minimum wage. Some of the workers, who spoke in an interview with The Nation during the May Day celebrations, said the review of the N18,000 minimum wage was over due.

According to them, the proposed minimum wage will go a long way in cushioning workers’ hardship. They lamented the high cost of goods, stressing that the proposed minimum wage would encourage them to put in their best.

The workers said labour had taken a bold step aimed at giving them some relief. They appealed to the government to consider the workers’plight as regards the prevailing economic reality.

Mr. Mojeed Mohammed, a civil servant in FCT, described the proposal as good.

He, however, expressed fear over the government’s ability to meet the demand because of the dwindling oil revenue.

A union executive, Comrade Bala Abubakar, lauded NLC and TUC for the proposal. He said Labour needed to back it up in the interest of the workers.

A civil servant in Alausa, Ikeja, Mr. Olayinka Ogunfesi, said if the proposed N56,000 wage is approved, it would go a long way in alleviating workers’ suffering.

He enjoined the union executives to ensure that it is implemented. To Mrs. Bimpe Olatunji, a teacher, the proposal is in order. She said this is something that will make the workers put in their best.“Depending on whether the government accepts and implements it, it is alright,” she said.

Source: The Nation