By Peter Dansu The clamour for a living wage in Lagos State has gained fresh momentum as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Ch...
By Peter Dansu
The clamour for a living wage in Lagos State has gained fresh momentum as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Chapter, demanded a new minimum wage of ₦150,000 for state workers.
Chairperson of the Lagos NLC, Mrs. Funmi Sesi, made the call on Thursday, stressing that the current minimum wage of ₦85,000 no longer reflects the economic realities faced by workers in the state.
According to her, the cost of accommodation, transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities in Lagos is far higher than in most parts of the country, hence the urgent need for a review.
“The time has come for an upward review of minimum wage in Lagos. No one can fault Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu if he approves a higher package because Lagos workers deserve pay that matches the cost of living in this state,” Sesi declared.
The labour leader pointed to the recent upward wage adjustments in Imo and Ebonyi States as proof that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, must not lag behind.
Earlier this week, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000, up from ₦76,000, while the Ebonyi State Government raised its workers’ pay from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000.
Describing the moves as “commendable steps” for the Nigerian labour force, Sesi maintained that Lagos should lead the way in prioritizing workers’ welfare.
She further noted that the Lagos NLC is prepared to engage with the state government to ensure that the demand for ₦150,000 minimum wage becomes a reality.
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