New Minimum Wage: NLC President Hails PDP Governor, “He is Paying N70k”
- Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to learn from Governor Godwin Obaseki
- Legit.ng reports that Obaseki is currently implementing N70,000 minimum wage in his state, Edo
- Speaking at the ongoing International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Ajaero tackled the governors for calling for a decentralised wage floor
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism.
Benin City, Edo state - Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has berated state governors under the umbrella body of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for rejecting the N62,000 minimum wage proposal of the Bola Tinubu administration.
As reported by The Punch on Tuesday, June 11, Ajaero questioned Nigerian governors calling for the decentralisation of the minimum wage, urging them to emulate Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state who is paying civil servants a minimum wage of N70,000.
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng reports that Obaseki is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ajaero said as quoted by the Nigerian Tribune:
“Governors whose states are not contributing a dime to the national purse and who generate pitiable internally generated revenue are collecting the same amount as governors whose states are generating billions of dollars into the federation account allocation committee. They (Nigerian governors) should decentralise their salaries and emoluments first.
“So, where is the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, getting his money from? He is paying N70,000 minimum wage. This is the type of governor that should be emulated and not the lazy ones.”
Nigerians want minimum wage above N62,000
Against the backdrop of labour’s protracted negotiation, Nigerians who spoke to Legit.ng want the new minimum wage to be over 100 percent higher than the current figure.
Salami Rafiu, a practicing civil engineer, said:
"Going by their claim, the state governors don't have the strength to pay the amount labour is insisting on. However, 62,000 is a ridiculous figure, considering the high cost of living in this country."
On his part, Ewunugu Sherrifdeen, a medical practitioner and salary earner, said even though it doesn't tally with the current economic realities, the national minimum wage should be "at least N100,000."
He told Legit.ng:
"Had it been the discussion of minimum wages affects the presidency, the legislature, and senior judicial officers, they would have taken it seriously. But since it doesn't move a hair from their body, they felt unconcerned.
"The monthly salary package of the legislature and executive surpasses the 35 years of civil service of the majority of civil servants.
"If all civil servants, including the political office holders, are placed on the same salary scale as per levels, then they will have felt the hardship in the country, and as well join labour union to pick a robust wage increment."
More to read on minimum wage
- Finance minister submits cost implications of minimum wage to Tinubu
- New minimum wage: Why latest negotiations between FG, organised labour stalled
- FG provides fresh update on minimum wage negotiations, addresses key concerns
Minimum wage: Labour attacks Akpabio amid negotiations
Legit.ng earlier reported that the organised labour dismissed claims by senate president Godswill Akpabio that its recent nationwide strike over the disputed minimum wage amounted to economic sabotage.
NLC said the true economic saboteurs are those looting national resources — not the labour force.
According to organised labour, Akpabio’s subtle threat that the senate would move into executive session to address the issue of labour’s strike smacks of contempt for open and transparent debate which ought to be the bedrock of parliamentary proceedings.
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Source: Legit.ng
