Victor Ezeja
President Bola Tinubu has said he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and is committed to payment of any wage that is realistic and just to them.
According to the president, Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions as the driving force of the nation.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe president stated this during a meeting with the leadership of organised labour in the State House Abuja, on Thursday. The meeting was to discuss the unresolved controversies around the proposed new minimum wage.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu said his administration is prioritising the concerns of Nigerian workers.
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He said: “”I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And society depends on the productivity of the happy worker.”
The president, however, called for realistic expectations as regards the minimum wage question, stating: “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth.
“Before we can finalise on the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.
“Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two? Why not three years? What is a problem today, can be eased up tomorrow. There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”
In his remarks, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, emphasised the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting: find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian Worker.”
He congratulated the President on the judgment of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutional rights of local governments as regards financial autonomy and other salient principles.
“I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy. We have been in the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you,” the NLC President said.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, said inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to kick in to give citizens relief.
He said the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses will help in checking the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports will bring down the prices of food items, if properly implemented.
“We commend you on the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgment, we believe Nigeria will make progress,” the TUC President also said.
The meeting was adjourned till next week for further discussion to allow for wider consultation with all stakeholders.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
