MINIMUM WAGE: COMRADE IKWU URGES GOVERNMENT TO SETTLE WITH LABOUR UNION DEMANDS
By Ewere Okonta
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ewereokonta20@gmail.com
www.ewereokontablog.org.ng
In the ongoing negotiations between the federal government of Nigeria, Labour Union leaders, and representatives from organized private sectors, the issue of increasing the minimum wage has been a primary topic of discourse. Amidst these critical discussions, Comrade Joel Ikwu, a renowned labour union leader and the Branch Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the University of Delta, Agbor, has made an impassioned appeal to the government.
Speaking at a press conference today from his office, Comrade Ikwu expressed the urgent need for the government to agree to what he referred to as a “living wage,” which has been ardently advocated for by union leaders. Emphasizing the hardship faced by Nigerian workers, Ikwu called for the rejection of what he termed as a “starvation wage” that is currently being proposed by the government.
“The minimum wage in Nigeria has remained an appallingly low figure of Eighteen thousand naira since 2018,” Comrade Ikwu remarked. “This stagnant wage has plunged workers into deepening poverty, making it nearly impossible for them to afford even the basic necessities of life.”
Drawing attention to the exacerbated financial strain, he noted that inflation remains at an all-time high and the cost of petroleum products has escalated dramatically from below two hundred naira per litre to a staggering seven hundred and fifty to one thousand naira per litre. “With the ever-soaring cost of living, Nigerian workers have become marginalized, struggling to make ends meet,” he added.
Comrade Ikwu underscored that agreeing to a reasonable increase in the minimum wage is not just a demand but a necessity to ensure the dignity and survival of the workforce. “The government must prioritize the well-being of its workers to prevent potential industrial unrest,” he urged.
Echoing the sentiments of leaders across the labour spectrum, Comrade Ikwu’s call to action highlights the growing unrest and dissatisfaction among workers. The tripartite meeting’s resolution on this issue holds significant implications for the socio-economic stability of Nigeria, making it imperative that the government takes these appeals seriously.
As the nation watches closely, the hope is that a balanced and fair resolution will be reached, thereby uplifting the livelihood of Nigerian workers and fostering a more equitable society.
*Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor*