NLC seeks minimum wage review, says ‘prices of goods have increased’

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says there is a need to improve the conditions of service for civil servants in the country.

Ayuba Wabba, NLC president, said this on Thursday, during a visit to the office of the head of the civil service of the federation, in Abuja.

The visit was part of activities to mark the 2021 World Day for Decent Work (WDDW).

Wabba urged the federal government to look into reviewing the current minimum wage, adding that the prices of goods have increased.

He also said the issue of maltreatment of workers, under whatever guise, should be discouraged.

“We demand an immediate end to all forms of employment that offend human dignity and deny workers access to living wages, social protection and denial of right to forms union,” he said.

”We ask employers of labour to respect the law and where the law is observed in breach, the ministry of labour and the other agencies of government should enforce the law.

“Today is a day set aside globally to mark the World Decent Work Day. It’s a day to recognise the contribution of workers to the growth of the economy, peace and development, and importantly, the prosperity of every country.

“Workers create the wealth of the world, and therefore in Nigeria, we create the wealth and if we create the wealth, it goes to say that workers must also be well taken care of.

“The challenge that is ravaging the world today, in fact, the effect is more felt by the workers, because as we speak, the purchasing power of workers has been reduced to nothing.

“N30,000 cannot buy a bag of rice, and we know how the cost of goods or services have gone up. In fact, the worst is that when you retire, you have to struggle to get your benefits.

“Workers must work with dignity; workers must have social security; workers must have adequate remuneration, and today, all of us are aware that civil servants are the least paid in Nigeria when you compare to all other sectors.”

Wabba, who said workers put in their best to serve the economy but do not get paid well, added that “this cannot continue and that is something that needs to be reviewed”.

He also advised the federal government to ensure that retirees are treated with respect and paid their gratuities on time.

In her remarks, Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of the civil service of the federation, who was represented by Ngozi Onwudiwe, the permanent secretary, service welfare office, urged the workers to submit their demands in writing.

She also said the federal government remains committed to the welfare of workers.