The Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, Comrade Funmi Sesi, has called for wide consultation and a clear assessment of current economic conditions in discussions surrounding a new national minimum wage.
Sesi made the remarks in an interview while reacting to reports of a proposed N100,000 minimum wage by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
She maintained that wage negotiations must be conducted through the established tripartite arrangement involving labour, government, and employers, warning against any attempt to impose a figure without inclusive dialogue.
According to her, no single group has the authority to determine workers’ pay unilaterally, stressing that such decisions must be reached collectively through negotiation.
She questioned the rationale behind the proposed figure, insisting that the minimum wage review process should follow due procedure rather than premature announcements.
The labour leader recalled that during the previous wage negotiations, governors argued they could not afford higher payments, citing concerns over the impact on development projects in their respective states.
She, however, urged state governments to account for how public resources have been utilised, questioning improvements in infrastructure, security, and general welfare across the states.
Sesi also noted that worsening economic conditions, including inflation, rising fuel costs, and increased transport expenses, had significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.
She said these realities must be carefully considered in determining a realistic and fair wage structure that reflects current living conditions.
The NLC chairperson warned against any attempt to impose wage figures on workers without proper negotiation, insisting that labour must be fully involved in all discussions.
She emphasised that workers’ representatives must be part of the decision-making process, stressing that fairness and transparency are essential in reaching an agreement.
Sesi urged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders to allow the ongoing wage review process to proceed through dialogue and consensus-building.
She added that some states were already paying above the proposed N100,000 benchmark, arguing that discussions should focus on improving workers’ welfare rather than limiting it.
She concluded that workers remain central to national productivity and deserve a wage structure that reflects present economic realities and ensures a decent standard of living.