Last week, Nigerian workers joined their counterparts all over the world to mark the 2025 Labour Day, with the theme "Social Justice and Decent Work." Sadly, these two main socio-economic factors have been missing in the workspaces in the country, especially in the public sector.
So, it was a timely theme and reminder for government at all levels to begin to create safe spaces, which include an enabling environment for the nation's workforce. It was also a clarion call for the leadership of organized labor to up their game in demanding dignity and respect for workers. This demand should also include fair income, job security, better retirement plans, and so on. In addition, the inequality gap should be reduced or closed to give workers a sense of belonging, just like their counterparts in other decent climes.
It's shameful that, as of today, most state governments are yet to implement the new minimum wage, after several months since it was signed into law. Using the current exchange rate, the new minimum wage of N70,000 is about $44. The sad reality is that this figure is grossly inadequate to cater for even a family of four.
What this means is that the new wage cannot sustain the average Nigerian worker. With soaring food prices, hikes in electricity tariffs, increases in house rents, and other bills, it's almost certain that Nigerian workers are primed to suffer. Inflation also stares them in the face; they cannot comfortably save anything from their salaries. Most have become regular victims of loan shark companies that take undue advantage of their desperation.
In contrast, the political class feeds fat on lucrative salaries and allowances without any commensurate service or contribution to national development. In the National Assembly, it's reported that an average lawmaker takes home over N20 million as running costs monthly, exclusive of other fringe benefits like brand-new SUVs.
In the private sector, most jobs lack healthcare incentives; they're also informal, lacking contracts, pensions, and other vital benefits. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in 2023, the figure stood at 86.5%. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Decent Work Index indicates that Nigeria has few decent jobs, ranking the country 142 out of 167 countries.
In all of this, organized labor seems to have lost its voice. The once-vibrant Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) are now toothless bulldogs, having become docile and weak. They no longer agitate for what's right for workers.
To regain their pride, the NLC and TUC must wake up and reinvent themselves. Decent work and social justice can only be enjoyed if labor unions become alive to their responsibilities. Otherwise, things will only get worse. They must settle their internal differences and resist pressure from governors to do their selfish bidding.
We urge the National Assembly to expedite action and pass the tax reforms bill before them, exempting minimum wage workers from paying taxes. It's one legislation that will greatly benefit workers; those whose take-home pay is insufficient shouldn't be taxed.
Federal and state governments should be intentional about workers, offering flexible working hours and remote work options to reduce transportation costs. The focus should be on creating favorable working conditions with robust welfare packages that improve workers' lives and reduce disparities between them and the political class. Only then can workers have something to celebrate.
