Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has expressed deep concern over how inflation has continued to diminish the value of the country’s minimum wage.
Speaking on Friday at the first quadrennial delegates’ conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja, Ajaero emphasized the urgent need for organized labour to unite in addressing the various challenges confronting Nigerian workers.
He pointed out that many citizens are currently burdened with electricity bills and taxes that surpass the recently approved minimum wage of N70,000 by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We have fought for the minimum wage and continue to engage on issues surrounding fuel subsidy and the tax system,” he said. “At this point, salary taxation nearly outweighs the wage increase itself. It’s a moment for deep reflection on our survival and the key issues impacting us most.”
Ajaero stressed the need to push for social safety measures similar to those in more developed countries, noting that the rising cost of living has placed tremendous pressure on workers.
He questioned whether the new minimum wage had truly been implemented across all sectors, particularly for teachers and workers in both the formal and informal sectors, including those in local governments.
He lamented that the real value of the minimum wage has been wiped out by inflation, with rising rents, transport fares, electricity bills, and telecom costs leaving workers with almost nothing.
Ajaero called for unity among labour unions and a stronger collaboration with civil society and the general public to confront the many issues affecting Nigerian workers.
“The NLC is ready to partner with the TUC so that we can join forces in the best interest of Nigerian workers and citizens,” he said. “History will not be kind to us if we fail to stand together. The problems we face are real, not theoretical, and they require a united and resilient labour movement to overcome.”
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