Photo credit: Nigeria Bulletin
The minimum wage issue has been a topic of discussion in Nigeria for quite a while.
Organized labour discussed the matter with the governments and the private sector. The labour first asked for around a million naira, but the government said it wasn’t willing to pay that whopping amount.
The government said it was only willing to increase by 100 per cent from the present 30,000 naira to something above 60,000 naira.
Labour went on an industrial strike for a day or two. The government called them back and still pleaded for 62,000 naira. Labour reduced their demand to 494,000 naira.
Let me first ask: What percentage of Nigerian workers are in organized labour? Kindly remember that the welder, mechanic, pepper seller, plumber, carpenter, farmer, clothes seller, food seller, and so on are not part of organized labour, at least as far as I know.
We’ll have five workers who are not part of organized labour for every member of organized labour. These people are the most vital in society. They control the markets from which members of organized labour buy commodities and services.
They seem to be quiet for now. But I bet that once the minimum wage increases, the prices of what they sell will automatically increase.
Second, have leaders of organized labour considered that once the minimum wage increases, every other wage will go up north?
Third, why have they not thought of demanding that government profligacy be, if not eradicated, at least significantly reduced?
How much are legislators earning?
How much are ministers earning?
How much is used to maintain the presidency?
What about the overbloated retinue of advisers?
I think even the president said in one or two of his speeches that Nigerians need to make sacrifices. That’s a great idea, But the sacrifice must start from the top.!
One doesn’t need a fortune teller to see the approaching hyperinflation in Nigeria.
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