In the face of the rising cost of living, I believe there is need for a higher national minimum wage.
However, the negotiation for a new national minimum wage by the Labour Movement should be rational and tempered within economic realities and capacity of both the government and private employers to pay.
Aluta approach of the Labour Movement won’t solve any problem. It will rather further depress the economy and create needless confusion.
There should be a rational conversation around the debate. Save for Lagos and probably 3 other states, I don’t think there is any state in Nigeria today that can conveniently pay above N50,000 minimum wage. A recent media report says Zamfara State government will begin to pay the N30,000 expired minimum wage from next month.
As it is, our economy can not support N615,000 minimum wage. It means we will all have to pay our drivers, gatemen, cook, shop attendants, office assistants, waiters etc N615,000 every month. How much is the salary of the Labour leaders as unionists per month and will Joe Ajaero pay his own driver N615,000 per month from his salary as NLC President?
The idea of a minimum wage everywhere in the world is not to make workers rich and be in a position to afford everything they want.
In US, Canada and Europe, those who earn minimum wage keep two to three jobs at the same time to be able to pay their bills. Remaining on a minimum wage band is not a desirable position or life anyone wishes to have. Minimum wage simply means the minimum any worker should earn. Those who fall within the minimum wage band always aspire to exit the quadrangle by acquiring better education and other skills that can make them earn more to live more comfortable life.
After negotiating a reasonable and realistic minimum wage, the focus of the NLC/TUC should be how government will address the cost of living challenges through cheaper public transportation, affordable food and housing. Labour should also collaborate with government to boost industrial capacity so that manufacturing firms can employ more people to earn good wages.