The Nigeria Labour Congress has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to order an upward review of workers’ salary to accommodate a 50 per cent pay rise for Nigerian workers nationwide.
The union who made this known in a letter dated August 8 and addressed to Buhari, said the recommendation was necessary following the economic realities of the country.
The recommendation comes as part of reaction to the position of the Nigerian Governors Forum on the civil servants wages.
The New Diplomat had reported that the Nigerian governors had in a report submitted to Buhari proposed that the civil servants who are above 50years should be offered one-off retirement package to exit the service – (N350 billion).
To replace the civil servants, the governors said the Federal government should employ lower-cost, more ICT-compliant youths and women graduates.
Reacting, the NLC lambasted the Governors for seeking early retirement of workers, saying anyone promoting this idea “should be treated as enemies of your government.”
Instead of early retirement, the union asked the Buhari-led administration to consider a further increase of worker salaries.
“While we commend you for your thoughtfulness for a wage increase, truth of the matter is that given the misfortune that has befallen the Nigerian populace, especially workers with fixed incomes, there is an urgent need for a massive intervention much deeper than the 22 percent,” the letter, signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba, said.
“We would recommend a 50 percent salary review across the board given the realities on ground,” the letter partly reads.
