NLC: Governors can pay N615,000 minimum wage if…

• He disclosed that the proposal was informed by the high cost of living and the galloping inflation Nigerians are grappling with

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says state governors have what it takes to pay the proposed N615,000 minimum wage.

Recently, organised labour proposed N615,000 new minimum, saying the current minimum wage of N30, 000 is not in tandem with the nation’s socio-economic realities.

The proposal came amid ongoing minimum wage negotiations between federal and state governments on one hand, and organised labour on the other.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, NLC president, Joe Ajaero, said the proposed new minimum wage is feasible and realistic if the governors get their priorities right.

He disclosed that the proposal was informed by the high cost of living and the galloping inflation  the citizens are grappling with.

The NLC president said organised labour considered factors like transportation, housing, and feeding before arriving at the sum.

He explained that it’s not so much about the minimum wage but the current economic situation, adding that the current minimum wage could do a lot if the government can bring down inflation to single digit.

“If you are talking about being realistic, the N615,000 demand is the most realistic. Being realistic is not about slave wage,” Ajaero said.

“However, N30,000 is big money if inflation is brought down, and at a single digit.

“Look at the indices that create inflation. If you check them, you can talk about being realistic. All other factors in the country are going high and wages remain constant.”

Asked if states can afford the N615,000 proposal, the NLC president averred that it is not about ability to pay but the priorities of states.

“I think we need to understand the issues of ability to pay and not getting the priority right,” he added.

“Most of the states that have shown willingness to pay the current minimum wage are not among those getting the highest revenue.

“During the time of Muhammadu Buhari, some states were declared not having enough money to pay and he released funds for them to pay.

“Those states still refused to pay. It is not the question of either the quantum of money that they have or not, it is what they decide to do with such money.

“If they get their priorities right, then a lot can happen.”