The Tinubu’s N70,000 New Minimum Wage Shows Government is Detached from the Hunger in the Country

To the needed action to mobilise for payment across board, in all states, LGs, and Private Sector.  

For an action for the Reversal of Electricity Tariff Hike in the Agreement on the New Minimum Wage.

Building a Working People Party for Workers to end the capitalist regime of misery and poverty wages!

In the face of high living costs and food inflation exceeding 40%, the Tinubu Administration has announced a new minimum wage of N70,000 monthly for workers in the country. This was only achieved following the workers’ strike action 3 June which was called off after two days. 

It is our stand that if the Labour leaders had been more resolute to provide the necessary leadership to effectively mobilise workers to take action for a living wage, the Tinubu regime would have had no other option. Instead of secret negotiations with the government, any minimum wage deal should be decided by the workers. The first strike day showed that workers were prepared to fight, but the leaders called the strike off. This new minimum wage of N70, 000 is already of no consequence given the astronomical hike in food prices, and essential services like electricity, and transportation etc, which was why labour original demand of N615, 000 is all but still valid till date.

Compared with the monthly outlined expenses for an average Nigerian worker, the new minimum wage qualifies to be labeled as poverty wage still. The agreed N70,000 is equivalent to just $42 per month. This is significantly less, only half in real terms, than the previously agreed minimum wage in 2019 of N30,000, which was $85, or the 2011 approved N18,000, which was $117.

The Movement for a Socialist Alternative (MSA) condemns the Tinubu regime for the poor welfare package for workers during this time of severe hardship caused by the ruling elites, especially under this government. While the elites in political offices maintain jumbo salaries and allowances running into millions of naira, workers are left with a minimum wage that cannot even buy a bag of rice in the market.

Nigerian political officeholders are among the highest paid in the world, while Nigerian workers are among the least paid in West Africa. A study conducted by workforceafrica.com shows that Nigerian workers are among the least-paid workers in Africa. Comparatively, Nigeria ($42), Ghana ($55.5), Cameroon ($63.2), Sierra Leone ($58.8), Senegal ($75), and Cote D’Ivoire ($76) offer higher minimum wages, with even war-torn Libya paying over a hundred dollars.

This government, like its predecessors, uses deceptive tactics to negotiate a decent wage for the working people, promising wages that do not reflect the current economic realities. The Tinubu administration, like others before it, made a card of promises, many of which will likely remain unfulfilled. The government’s promises to provide CNG buses and improve infrastructure should not be contingent on demands for a new minimum wage.

The current proposed minimum wage is already being diluted by the recent hike in electricity tariffs and increases in the cost of goods and services. The state governments, claiming they cannot pay N62,000 monthly despite their extravagant lifestyles, should be held accountable.

Rather than applaud Tinubu regime, which the labour leaders were seen on screen doing, the NLC and TUC should prepare in earnest to ensure the implementation of the new minimum wage across board. Many state governors and private sector employers often fail to implement the new minimum wage, citing a lack of funds. We consider this claim untrue, as all states in the country have enough resources to pay more than the current agreed minimum wage. State governors receive the same jumbo wages, allowances, and security votes in billions of naira. We also insist that the Labour leaders should not abandon the call for a reversal of electricity tariff. 

The Tinubu presidency is a government for the capitalists and super-rich, both in the country and internationally. It is carrying through one of the worst attacks internationally on the living standards of workers and the poor. The recent mass revolt in Kenya shows that government attacks can be defeated.

We urge labour to build a working people’s political party to end the regime of misery and poverty wages, ensuring a future with better living wages for the masses. The NLC and the TUC should commence implementation monitoring team to keep an eye on the implementation of these agreements. The struggle for a better living wage is just beginning, and it is not yet Uhuru.

Sign 

Aj. Dagga Tolar

General Secretary, MSA