The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to meet ahead of the resumption of negotiations between the Federal Government and organized labor on the new minimum wage.
The aim is to arrive at a living wage that reflects the prevailing cost of living.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, addressed this during the opening session of the NLC 2023 Harmattan School, themed “Building Workers’ Skills for Policy Engagement” in Abuja.
Ajaero expressed the NLC’s determination to address workers’ rights and advocate for decent work, despite recent assaults on workers and their leaders in Imo State.
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The assaults were seen as a threat to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution and international conventions.
Ajaero emphasized the difficult conditions faced by workers in both the formal and informal sectors, citing challenges exacerbated by the removal of the subsidy on petroleum products, contributing to inflation, inequality, and poverty.
He urged governments at all levels to recognize these challenges and emphasized the positive impact of a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce on productivity and national development.
The NLC president also called for the resolution of labor issues in Imo State, including addressing grievances, paying outstanding salaries and pensions, and reinstating victimized workers.
As the NLC prepares for negotiations, the focus remains on achieving fair wages that reflect the economic realities faced by workers in Nigeria.
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