As Nigerian workers join their global counterparts to mark International Workers’ Day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised alarms over the worsening economic conditions that have left workers struggling.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, outlined a series of demands to the Federal Government, expressing deep concerns over the economic policies hurting the working class, growing insecurity, and political interference in labour affairs.
Ajaero described the current state of the Nigerian economy as “hostile” to workers, highlighting the removal of fuel subsidies, the devaluation of the Naira, and the rise in inflation, all of which have driven millions of households deeper into poverty.
He pointed out that the government’s policies, especially the unstructured fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira, have greatly diminished the value of wages, making it nearly impossible for workers to meet basic needs.
A key issue raised was the new minimum wage. While the NLC demands a minimum wage of N70,000, Ajaero acknowledged that even this figure is insufficient to cope with the skyrocketing cost of living.
He emphasized that N70,000 would only serve as a starting point for further negotiations, adding that “the minimum wage cannot buy a bag of rice.”
He underscored the struggles workers face, where even basic necessities like transportation consume the majority of their salary.
“We are not asking for luxury; we simply demand a wage that allows a worker to live a dignified life,” he said, stressing the need for periodic wage adjustments in line with inflation.
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Furthermore, Ajaero criticized the government’s failure to implement promised reforms, such as the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport system, which was intended to provide affordable alternatives to petrol-powered vehicles.
He also noted the government’s neglect in delivering palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the delayed rollout of CNG infrastructure, which has left many workers grappling with high transportation costs.
The NLC president also highlighted ongoing issues with inconsistent salary payments and the non-implementation of wage increases in several states.
Many state governments have failed to implement approved wage awards or are paying workers below the agreed minimum wage, violating labour agreements.
Ajaero called for an immediate harmonization of federal and state salary structures to ensure fairness and equity across the public service.
Addressing Nigeria’s tax regime, Ajaero criticized the system for disproportionately taxing low-income workers while allowing multinational corporations and the political elite to evade their fair share of taxes.
“It is only in Nigeria that someone earning N50,000 a month is taxed heavily while the real billionaires are not paying their fair share,” he said, calling for urgent reform of the tax system.
Ajaero also condemned the increasing insecurity in the country, which not only hampers productivity but also endangers the lives of workers, particularly those in rural areas and high-risk professions.
He expressed concern over the deteriorating health and education sectors, which have become unaffordable for many workers.
These growing challenges further highlight the insufficiencies of the current wage structure, which fails to support workers in meeting even basic survival needs.
Finally, Ajaero addressed internal challenges within the labour movement, decrying political interference in union activities, particularly in states like Rivers and Edo.
He accused state governors of undermining the autonomy of trade unions, suppressing workers’ rights, and fostering division by promoting parallel union leadership.
He urged the Federal Government to take action against erring state governors, protect workers’ rights, and prioritize social services over wasteful spending in governance.
He also reaffirmed the NLC’s stance on not celebrating May Day in states where workers’ rights are being trampled.
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