Workers beg Buhari to raise minimum wage

Nigerian have workers appealed to the
incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to
devise a means of improving the welfare of
workers so as to engender industrial harmony.
Speaking with NAN in separate interviews in
Abuja on Friday, the respondents decried the
fact the minimum wage still remained N18, 000
despite the harsh economic condition in the
country.
They were speaking after the May Day
celebration (pictured) in the federal capital
They advised the incoming government to
institute an automatic minimum wage review
mechanism in line with realities.
Bala Hadi, national president of the
Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria
(PASAN), advised the government to take the
welfare of workers more seriously in order to
win their support.
He expressed displeasure government workers
had not received their April salary, even as the
May day was being celebrated.
“You can see that workers are out in large
numbers to celebrate May Day, but it is
regrettable that most government workers have
not received their April salary, and this is not
acceptable,” Hadi said.
“Already, the welfare of Nigerian workers is
very poor when compared to their contribution
to nation-building; they are grossly
underpaid.’’
He said that the N18,000 minimum wage was
long overdue for an upward review and advised
the incoming government to address the issue.
“The minimum wage of N18,000 is long overdue
for review and since the present government
will soon leave office, I advise the new
government to do that as a matter of urgency.
“The new government should initiate a living
wage to ensure that workers are able to meet
their personal needs and those of their family
members.
“Our expectation is that the government will
initiate a mechanism to ensure an automatic,
periodic review of salaries so that distractions
like strikes can be avoided.”
Julius Ada, a member of the Construction
Workers’ Union, advised the government to
improve the plight of construction workers in
the country.
He complained that most construction
companies were being controlled by foreigners
who do not treat their Nigerian counterparts as
equals.
“We really need government support in the
construction industry so as to create a level
playing field for Nigerian construction workers,”
he said.
“We also need government intervention to help
boost the construction industry so that
construction workers can enjoy sustainable
employment.”