May 1 is the day set aside to celebrate workers in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, that day has been christened “Workers’ Day”.
But unfortunately, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says this year’s workers’ Day is perfect time to make their demands known to the government.
As we speak, the NLC has set forth a list of seven critical demands before the Federal Government.
It highlights the urgent need for a new minimum wage among other significant changes.
The announcement comes at a time of heightened anticipation, spiced with expectations that President Bola Tinubu may announce the proposed new wage standards during the celebrations.
NCL’s Demand
Key among the NLC’s demands is the establishment of state and local government police forces.
This aims at addressing the escalating insecurity challenges across the nation.
Furthermore, the NLC insists that the new minimum wage, once ratified, must be uniformly implemented across all states, local governments, and the organised private sector.
This unified approach is deemed essential to ensure fairness and alleviate economic disparities across different regions and sectors.
This year’s Workers’ Day is particularly significant, as it follows a tentative agreement by organised labour to set the new minimum wage at 615,000 Naira per month.
This figure was determined prior to the recent increases in electricity tariffs by the Federal Government, which has added to the cost-of-living pressures faced by Nigerian workers.
Economic Realities
A member of the Trade Union Congress’s National Executive Council who asked not to be named spoke with journalists.
According to the source, the wage figure was agreed after careful consideration of the current economic realities and the impact of governmental policy changes on the workforce.
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The source said: “We are going to have another round of serious conversations with the government.
“Mind you, the tariff increase is also very good for us, because they (the government) did it when the new minimum wage process had not been concluded.
“So, it is going to be a good ground for us to ask for more money”.