May Day: Workers’ wages no longer sustainable, Labour laments

By Joy Obakeye

Organised Labour Unions have lamented over the poor wages of workers, stressing that the government is not doing enough for Nigerian worker who struggle with the little being paid

According to the unions, the economic challenges facing the country have compounded the problems facing Nigerian workers, hence the need for some drastic measures to be taken.

Speaking to Daily Times, the Chairman Trade Union Council of Nigeria (TUC), Lagos State Council, Comrade Gbenga Ekundayo said Nigerian workers struggle with the little that is being paid, stressing that even when there is an increase in salaries, there are always so many things eating it up, “things like inflation and devaluation, transportation, security and portable water are not available for them,” he started.

He complained that even as a citizen, you have to provide those things for yourself.

“Taxes are being deducted even before you see your salaries so whatever you are left with, you have to struggle to make ends meet with it.

“Things that are forgotten in another part of the world are things we grapple with, so historically, the government has not and has never been fair to workers hence the reason we will continue to engage to see how we can improve our lots, see how the social environment can change to favour the common man,” he said.

Speaking at the Pre May Day symposium with all Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) affiliates in Lagos, theme: Workers Rights and Socio-Economic Justice, Former General Secretary, National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employment (NUPTE),Comrade Onakpo Chris, called on the government to look out for those things that are dealing with workers.

According to him, it is not enough for labour to keep negotiating for minimum wage, they need to put certain things in the document that ensures that when the economic indexes in Nigeria changes adversely, the salary of workers automatically should change even without negotiation.

For example, he said, in 2019 minimum wage, dollar was about N399 but, today dollar to naira exchange is about N700. “of what use is that minimum wage, it has been rubbished,” he queried.

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Also speaking, National Secretary Comrade Ocheme Aba (TUC), said labour unions are not left out on the issue, urging all unions to treat their employees well without exceptions as to what they seek for themselves because the employees also require social and economic justice.

According to him, all the unions need to improve on the welfare of the people who work for them, ” they should be taken care of.”

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