President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers, but charged the workers to be realistic about expectations on the new minimum wage, adding that ” You have to cut your coat according to available cloth”.
The President stated this at the meeting he had with the leadership of the organized labour, led by Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress TUC, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement after the meeting, said the President stated however, that “Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions as the driving force of the nation”
According to him” Speaking with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Joe Ajaero and that of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) led by Festus Osifo, on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu said he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritizing their concerns.
“I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And society depends on the productivity of the happy worker,” the President said.
The President, while calling for realistic expectations as regards the minimum wage question, stated: “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalize on the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.”
“Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two? Why not three years? What is a problem today, can be eased up tomorrow.
“There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”
In his remarks, the NLC President, Ajaero, emphasized the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting: “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”
He congratulated the President on the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutional rights of local governments as regards financial autonomy and other salient principles.
“I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy.
“We have been in the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you,” the NLC President said.
Festus Osifo, the TUC President, said inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to kick in to give citizens relief.
He said the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses will help in checking the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports will bring down the prices of food items if properly implemented.
“We commend you on the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgement, we believe Nigeria will make progress,” the TUC President also said.
Further talks were adjourned until next week to allow for wider consultation with all stakeholders.
