NLC Stands Firm On N907,000 New Minimum Wage Demand

In a resolute stance, the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja chapter, reaffirmed its unwavering support for the demand of a new minimum wage pegged at N907,000. This declaration was made during the union’s 58th Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, where members expressed deep dissatisfaction with the federal government’s approach to addressing the country’s economic challenges…..READ ALSO Labour Party’s National Chairman, Abure, Throws Weight Behind Olumide Akpata’s Candidacy For Edo Governorship

Representing a significant segment of Nigeria’s civil servants, the NCSU voiced sharp criticism against the government’s perceived lack of innovative solutions to tackle the prevailing economic downturn. The union’s discontent comes amidst ongoing deliberations concerning adjustments to the national minimum wage.

Throwing their weight behind the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the NCSU advocated for a substantial increase in the minimum wage, emphasizing the necessity for wage adjustments that reflect the current economic realities faced by workers across the nation. The proposed wage hike to N907,000 was initially tabled during zonal meetings with the Tripartite Committee of the Minimum Wage.

Comrade Adoga Gupada Aruwa, the Federal Council Chairman of NCSU’s Abuja chapter, delivered scathing remarks regarding Nigeria’s dependence on international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He labeled IMF policies as “anti-people” and cautioned against their adverse impacts on the welfare of Nigerians.

Expressing concerns over job losses, Comrade Aruwa underscored the need for unity among workers, particularly amidst prevailing challenges such as insecurity and escalating living costs. He urged fellow members to rally behind the demand for a living wage, asserting that the current minimum wage falls short of meeting basic needs.

The Assistant General Secretary of NSCU, Comrade Daniel Otakpo, echoed similar sentiments, attributing the hardships faced by Nigerians to the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy without adequate mitigation measures. He criticized the government’s lack of preparation for the subsidy removal, highlighting its detrimental effects on civil servants who have been grappling with the ensuing economic hardships.

The FEC meeting served as a platform to raise awareness and sensitize workers on pertinent national issues. With the demand for a new minimum wage gathering momentum, the NCSU remains steadfast in its advocacy for improved living standards and economic empowerment for Nigerian workers.