President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare and better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions, being the driving force of the nation.
Tinubu who spoke with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and that of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) led by Comrade Festus Osifo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, July 11, 2024, Tinubu said he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritising their concerns.
“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 said.
He, however, called for realistic expectations on the minimum wage, saying: “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, Ajaero emphasised the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting: “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for Nigerian workers.”
The NLC President also congratulated Tinubu 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,” he added.
On his part, Osifo said inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira, stressing that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to kick in to give citizens relief.
The TUC boss said the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses would help in checking the high cost of transportation, adding that the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports would bring down the prices of food items if properly implemented.
Further talks were, therefore, adjourned until next week to allow for a wider consultation with all stakeholders.
