The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has warned that increasing Nigeria’s minimum wage to ₦1 million could destabilise the country’s economy.
Ajaero made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, amid ongoing discussions between organised labour and the Federal Government over a possible review of workers’ wages.
According to the labour leader, the debate over salaries should not focus solely on the amount workers receive. He argued that addressing the rising cost of living and improving the purchasing power of the naira are equally important.
NLC Boss Calls for Action on Cost of Living
Ajaero said the government should tackle the economic conditions making basic goods and services increasingly expensive for Nigerian households.
He emphasised that increasing workers’ salaries without addressing inflation and the cost of essential commodities could limit the benefits of any wage adjustment.
The NLC president’s comments highlight the continuing challenge facing Nigerian workers, many of whom are struggling to meet household expenses amid rising prices.
Wage Review Discussions Continue
The Federal Government and organised labour have been discussing workers’ welfare and possible measures to ease the pressure of rising living costs.
Ajaero’s position suggests that a sustainable wage policy should consider the wider economy, including the cost of transportation, food, housing and other essential needs.
Although higher salaries can improve workers’ incomes, the actual benefit depends partly on how much those earnings can buy.
Transport Support and Workers’ Welfare
The report also comes amid rising concerns over fuel prices and transportation costs.
The Federal Government has reportedly approved a ₦70,000 transport allowance for workers as part of measures intended to ease the pressure on employees.
However, the effectiveness of such assistance will depend on workers’ eligibility, the implementation arrangements and the extent to which the support offsets their transportation expenses.
For the NLC, the wider challenge remains finding ways to protect workers’ living standards while ensuring that wage policies are economically sustainable.
