NLC claims states can afford the N615,000 minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) denies that certain states cannot afford the N615,000 minimum wage if approved.

Nigeria’s gasoline subsidy reduction and foreign exchange market unification have raised living costs. In March, inflation reached 33.2%, worsening the economy.

Since then, labour groups and the federal government have negotiated a new minimum wage to aid the struggling economy.

Workers would receive N615,000 per month from the NLC, up from N30,000. The labour union believes many states can pay if they prioritise well, despite many doubting it.

On Thursday’s Politics Today, NLC president Joe Ajaero addressed the issue of states’ ability to pay the minimum wage and its lack of importance.

“Most of the states that have shown a willingness to pay are not among those that are generating the most revenue.” Even after General Muhammadu Buhari deemed several states financially deficient and provided monies to meet their obligations, they refused to pay.

No longer does it matter how much money they have; it’s what they do with it. If they prioritise well, much can happen.”

Unionists who advocated mechanised agriculture believe food self-sufficiency will help Nigeria battle the crisis.

“Recall what I previously stated: if we fulfil our responsibilities as a government and a people, effectively controlling inflation, monitoring other indices, monitoring the cost of food, engaging in extensive agriculture, and achieving national self-sufficiency, we will be less concerned about the numbers in the hundreds, millions, and thousands.”

On Labour Day eve, the Federal Government raised some workers’ salaries. However, Ajaero called the move “mischievous.”

“The government’s announcement seems mischievous as there is no wage increase,” he statedon Wednesday.