By Abigail Philip David
The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday lamented the challenges in securing the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage by some state governors despite the worsening economic conditions in the country.
Speaking at the 2024 Delegates Conference of the NLC Youth Council in Abuja, Ajaero highlighted the rising cost of living, including soaring food prices, unaffordable housing, and inaccessible healthcare, as harsh realities faced by Nigerians.
“The harsh realities of our country cannot be sugar-coated. We live in a nation where the rich grow fatter on the sweat of the poor, where our youths struggle to find meaningful work, and where the value of labour is often trampled underfoot,” Ajaero said.
He cited the cost of a 50kg bag of rice, now priced at N105,000, and transport fares exceeding N50,000 as examples of the economic strain on workers. Despite these challenges, he noted that the NLC has had to struggle to ensure the implementation of the “paltry” N70,000 minimum wage, which is enshrined in law.
However, Ajaero emphasized that this is a time for determination, not lamentation, urging Nigerians to take responsibility for building the nation.
He also stressed the critical role of youths in shaping the future of the trade union movement and the country, calling on them to rise to the challenges of leadership with resilience, courage, and vision.
As part of the NLC’s efforts to empower young workers, Ajaero announced plans to establish youth executive councils in every state. These councils will serve as platforms for addressing youth-specific issues and increasing their involvement in union activities.
The conference, themed *“Youth and the New World of Work: Imperative of a New Social Contract,”* underscored the need for young people to redefine fairness and justice in the evolving labor landscape.
Ajaero concluded by urging youths to remain focused, committed, and united in their pursuit of a better future, assuring them of the NLC’s unwavering support and readiness to stand by them in the fight for a more equitable society.
