Several union leaders in Lagos State have asked Federal Government to increase the current N30,000 minimum wage of workers in the country.
They asked the government to increase the minimum wage of N30,000 in order to commensurate with rising costs of living due to inflation, that if it was review it would help to alleviate the hardship borne by civil servants.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Lagos State chapter, Mr Ismail Adejumo, Lagos state chapter chairman of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), and Mr Kehinde Ajibade, Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) UNILAG branch were some of the Union leaders who solicit government to increase the living condition of the civil servants by increasing the minimum wage.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, said that Nigerian workers must earn good salaries and wages in order to live a good life
According to him, “Inflation is rising everyday, therefore, there is need for government to increase workers’ salaries.
“The last time the Federal Government proposed minimum wage was many years ago, so I think it is time for upward review.
“Workers need to be comfortable, to be more productive in the different aspects of government parastatals they find themselves in.”
He advised government appointees at the helm of affairs to ensure prudence in the management of the nation’s resources and look for ways to create jobs for the teeming youthful population.
Also, Mr Ismail Adejumo, Lagos state chapter chairman of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) congratulated Nigerian workers for their resilience and dedication to duty.
Adejumo said that Nigerian workers had continued to ensure they provided selfless services at different sectors of governments in spite of the economic challenges.
“The current economic challenges is biting hard on most homes and most of our workers cannot survive on their take-home pay.
“The take-home wage cannot be enough to cater adequately for their daily needs because all the economic indices have gone up.
“Workers are lamenting but in the midst of all these economic hardships, still remain resilient and dedicated to their duties.”
He urged the government to reciprocate Nigerian workers’ efforts, by ensuring it reviewed the current salary upwards to bring about a better life for them.
Also speaking, Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) UNILAG branch, Mr Kehinde Ajibade said it was necessary to awaken the consciousness of government at all levels to the welfare of Nigerian citizens and workers.
“The NASU and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) have been on strike now for over a month because our agitations have not been met.
“Some of our agitations boil down to the inconsistencies in our salary payment platform.
“We need the government to do the needful and step up to pay our three years areas of minimum wage”
“We need the Federal Government to continue to improve the state of security in the country to promote peace and unity among citizens.”