Be realistic in wage demand, APC group tells NLC

The Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to be reasonable in its discussion with the federal government to arrive at a realistic national minimum wage.

The director-general of CASG, Prof Muhammad Kailani, made the call Friday in Abuja at a news conference.

Kailani said the demand for a minimum wage of N615,000 monthly salary for Nigerian workers by NLC had raised so much concern as the country was presently at an economic crossroads.

“Without mincing words, the country, to say the least, is presently at an economic crossroads. The country is embedded in an unprecedented foreign debt profile as never before.

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“The administration of President Bola Tinubu, who unfortunately or fortunately is saddled with the task of solving the debt profile riddle, even though not daunted, is working round the clock to solve the debacle.

“This is not to say that the Nigerian workers should solely shoulder the pains, but in trying to make them reasonably comfortable, we must be reasonable in the approach,” he said.

He urged the NLC to revisit its discussion with the government by reviewing issues of national importance, such as the national minimum wage.

He said, “There are some state governments in Nigeria that cannot afford to implement the N30,000 minimum wage. How and where does the NLC expect them to procure funds to pay this new wage illusionary bill?”

He also berated the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr Peter Obi, for unnecessarily attacking the person and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I appeal to our elder statesmen, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi, to go the path of statesmanship and contribute to the development of Nigeria through strategic advice to President Tinubu on the way forward at this critical moment in our nationhood.