The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has agreed to enforce a new minimum wage of N70,000 in all states, according to Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman of the NLC's Osun Chapter. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Arapasopo stated that the decision was made to prevent a hike in fuel pump prices.
"We suggested N250,000, but they brought it down to N62,000 before shifting ground to N70,000, and we accepted it. We have sacrificed a lot of things," Arapasopo said. "So, for any government or governor that fails to pay, we will shut that state down. It is a must for them to pay. It is a no-go area. We are not negotiating that."
The President said if we insisted on our demand of N250,000, he would have to increase the fuel price, and that's why we agreed for N70,000.
According to the report, Arapasopo emphasized that the decision was made to benefit all Nigerians, not just workers. "If we had insisted on the N250,000 minimum wage, Nigerians and workers would suffer the increment in fuel pump prices, and inflation would increase," he explained.
The NLC Chairman believes the accepted amount is still fair and will be the least salary paid to workers in the lowest cadre. He added that consequential adjustments and benefits attached to the levels would further increase the wage when implemented.
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