𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗬: "𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁"; 𝗡𝗟𝗖 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that a monthly salary of N1 million would hold little real value for workers if the naira remains weak and current economic conditions persist.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasizing that the purchasing power of wages matters more than nominal salary figures.

According to Ajaero, rising inflation has significantly eroded workers’ income, making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to meet basic needs such as food, transportation, and housing.

“Even if Nigerian workers earn N1 million, it will not be meaningful if the naira has no value,” he said. “What we are looking for is a currency that can sustain workers and their families at least to the end of the month.”

He further clarified that discussions on a new national minimum wage have not yet commenced, noting that the process must follow established 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 negotiation ahead of its expiration. It cannot be rushed because of election timelines,” he added.

Ajaero also called on the government to urgently address the impact of inflation on workers, pointing out that recent increases in fuel prices have worsened economic hardship nationwide.

“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.

On the forthcoming Workers' Day, the NLC president ruled out a nationwide protest, stating that any demonstrations would be limited to states that have 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 said.