The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised serious concerns about the financial burden workers are facing in the country, particularly in relation to electricity tariffs and the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, in a statement on Friday, highlighted the stark reality that workers are now paying more for electricity than their monthly wage, a situation worsened by the rampant inflation that has significantly eroded the value of the new minimum wage.
Ajaero criticized the tax regime imposed by the current administration, particularly the heavy taxes on salaries, which are almost equal to or even surpass the new wage.
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The rising costs of essential commodities such as rent, transportation, and utilities have made it increasingly difficult for the average worker to meet basic needs.
“The exorbitant prices of rent and transportation have undermined the efforts of the workers,” Ajaero lamented.
He also pointed out that despite the hard-fought battle to secure the minimum wage, its implementation has been inadequate, with inflation rendering it nearly worthless. Ajaero stated, “We have fought battles on minimum wage, and we are still fighting on it.
“We have fought battles on fuel subsidy and we are still fighting battles on tax regimes. It is a period where tax on your salaries is almost higher than the minimum wage increase on your salaries. It is a period we need to sit and reflect on our survival.”
The NLC President emphasized the need for a concerted effort to address these issues, urging stronger collaboration between the NLC, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups to advocate for better conditions for workers.
Without such unity and action, Ajaero warned that Nigerian workers would continue to struggle to survive the harsh economic conditions. “The challenges that the workers face here are not a drill; they are real challenges that require a robust, strong trade union to be able to face hands-on,” he added.
Ajaero’s call for greater unity within the labor movement stresses the urgency of addressing the economic challenges facing workers, as their survival hinges on collective efforts to tackle these mounting issues.
