The labour union in Nigeria has proposed a minimum wage of N150,500 (equivalent to $300) for workers before the commencement of negotiations on a new national minimum wage. The proposal was made by the Chairman of the Trade Union Side during the Joint Meeting of the National Public Service Negotiating Council which was held on January 31 in Goshen City, Nasarawa State. According to the union, the current minimum wage of N30,000 has been eroded due to the high exchange rate and the sudden removal of fuel subsidies, resulting in a significant increase in the cost of living in the country.
The union’s Secretary also criticized the recent delays in salary payments by the federal government, urging them to take action to prevent further suffering for workers. The proposed minimum wage of $300 is necessary because of the depreciation of the currency, as carrying N2000 to the market now only buys a leather bag of items. The union called on the government to pay the arrears of the previous wage award and expedite the process of determining a new living wage to alleviate the suffering of working-class individuals.