From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the poor implementation of the national minimum wage policy, particularly by some state governments.
He expressed concern over the rising inflation in the country, stating that the current minimum wage of N70,000 might soon be insufficient for even basic necessities like a tissue paper.
Ajaero specifically emphasised that states like Cross River and Zamfara have not yet formed local committees to address the implementation of the new wage policy.
He made the remarks yesterday in Abuja during a media event organised by the Labour Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (LACAN), which focused on “Government and labour relations in the last one year: Discussions on key labour, employment and productivity issues, success and projections.”
Ajaero noted that labour councils have been directed to initiate strikes in states where a government has been uncooperative in implementing the new wage policy.
“Minimum wage has to be reviewed periodically because the way things are going in this country, in five years’ time, N70,000 may not be able to buy tissue paper,” Ajaero stated.