April 28, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, declaring that even a monthly salary of ₦1 million would be meaningless to workers if the naira continues to depreciate and inflation remains unchecked.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NLC President Joe Ajaero, said the real challenge facing workers is no longer the nominal value of salaries but the steady erosion of the naira.
“Even if Nigerian workers earn ₦1 million, it will not be meaningful if the naira has no value. What we are looking for is a currency that can sustain workers and their families at least to the end of the month,” Ajaero said.
The NLC President stressed that inflation had continued to wipe out workers’ earnings, leaving many unable to meet basic needs despite salary adjustments implemented across several sectors.
He warned that without urgent economic reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and reducing inflationary pressures, wage increases alone would offer little relief to struggling workers.
Ajaero linked the worsening hardship partly to rising fuel prices, noting that the effects had cascaded across the economy through higher transportation fares, increased food prices, and escalating costs of goods and services.
“We raised concerns when global developments began to impact fuel prices locally, and we called for intervention. The situation has not improved, and the burden on workers continues to increase,” he said.
Ajaero insisted that Nigeria must urgently build a stronger and more resilient economic system capable of protecting citizens from external economic shocks and fluctuations in global oil markets.
“It is not ideal that events in other parts of the world automatically translate into hardship in Nigeria. We must build a system that protects our economy and citizens,” he said.
On the ongoing debate surrounding a fresh national minimum wage, Ajaero clarified that organised labour had not yet commenced negotiations, insisting that the process must follow laid-down legal procedures and timelines.
“The minimum wage has not been negotiated yet. It is a process that must follow the law. When it is time, we will commence negotiations ahead of its expiration. It cannot be rushed because of election timelines,” he said
The labour leader also addressed reports of planned protests during the upcoming Workers’ Day celebrations, clarifying that any demonstrations would only occur in states yet to fully implement the approved minimum wage.
“Street protests, if any, will be in states that have not complied with the minimum wage implementation. It is not a general protest across the country,” he explained.
According to him, although many states had substantially complied with the new wage structure, implementation gaps still existed at local government levels and within parts of the education sector.
He further disclosed that organised labour was monitoring complaints involving consequential salary adjustments, accusing some state governments of paying only the minimum wage while failing to properly adjust other salary structures.
“These are technical issues that must be addressed. We will evaluate the level of compliance before May Day,” he said.
Ajaero also expressed concern over growing confusion within the pension system following the emergence of multiple pension unions and associations.
He said the NLC had already begun consultations with relevant stakeholders to address ambiguities surrounding pension administration and issues relating to deductions and remittances of check-off dues among pensioners.
“There are several pension groups now, and this is creating ambiguity. We are engaging them to understand what is at stake and find a common ground,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment of organised labour to protecting workers’ welfare, Ajaero said the NLC would continue advocating policies aimed at improving living standards, stabilising the economy, and restoring the value of workers’ incomes.
He, however, commended the Federal Government for approving the review of peculiar allowances and the 100 per cent duty tour allowance for civil servants, expressing hope that effective implementation would provide some relief for workers battling severe economic hardship.
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