The Nigeria Labour Congress says ongoing discussions around a ₦100,000 minimum wage fail to reflect the economic realities confronting workers across the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed suggestions that a ₦100,000 national minimum wage would be sufficient for Nigerian workers, arguing that current economic conditions demand a far more realistic assessment of workers’ earnings.
Speaking on the issue, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah described the proposed figure as unrealistic, maintaining that Nigerian workers deserve significantly better remuneration in light of prevailing economic realities.
According to Upah, workers should be earning as much as ₦1 million monthly when factors such as inflation, rising living costs and declining purchasing power are taken into consideration.
His remarks come amid continued conversations around workers’ welfare and the adequacy of wages in a challenging economic environment.
The statement reflects growing concerns within organised labour over the widening gap between workers’ earnings and the cost of meeting basic needs.
As discussions around wage structures continue, the NLC maintains that any meaningful conversation about workers’ welfare must take into account the realities faced by millions of Nigerians across the country.