Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has urged the Federal Government to follow Imo state’s lead in implementing a minimum wage of N104,000 for workers nationwide.
Ajaero made the call during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 7th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers in Abuja.
He explained that during wage negotiations with the Federal Government, the government’s argument was that it could not make concessions that would be difficult for states to implement.
Ajaero stated that Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma’s decision to raise the minimum wage demonstrates that states are capable of paying a minimum wage of N100,000.
“So many people were asking me, is this real? I said, this is a report from Imo State so far.
“I have reached out to him. Although he told me about it before now. It is real. That is the highest and to a very large extent, it is commendable.”
He added that the federal government said it could afford to pay more but it did not want to disorganise the wage system.
“But if the states have the capacity to pay N100,000 and above and considering that Imo State is not the highest in terms of revenue, it then means others are encouraged to do more.
“That is the whole essence of the issue of the underlining issue of minimum wage. Minimum wage is the least; states can do better. I think this is an initiative that other governors are supposed to follow.
“You must not wait for the next three years for a wage to be reviewed especially given the current economic situation, so that people can at least survive,“ he said.
Ajaero also expressed worry over some issues with the Nigeria Social insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and called for immediate action.
“It therefore becomes imperative that we also alert you of a dangerous development. The state, having diverted 40 per cent of workers’ contributions in NSITF, is now seeking to unilaterally amend the NSITF Act.
“This is to allow the government to control a fund that entirely belongs to workers.
“We had demanded that the funds be accounted for and returned so that Nigerian workers will enjoy the benefits of the Agency.”
