NLC meets to work out living wages

Ahead of the planned commencement of negotiations on the new minimum wage between the Federal Government and organized labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is convening in Abuja to brainstorm on a living wage appropriate to the prevailing cost of living.

The NLC has vowed not to be deterred by the recent attack on workers and their leaders in Imo State, which it maintained poses a grave threat to freedom of association and collective bargaining as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, as well as the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining.

These were contained in Mr Joe Ajaero’s welcome address at the Opening Session of the NLC 2023 Harmattan School with the theme “Building Workers’ Skills for Policy Engagement” in Abuja.

Ajaero, represented by Congress Deputy President Benjamin Anthony, said: “In the face of adversity and brutality encountered while advocating for the rights of workers to earn their legitimate income and benefits, our resolve remains unwavering.

“We are motivated to continue our efforts towards achieving decent work and improving working conditions in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

He urged attendees to approach the training curriculum with a hunger for knowledge, asking questions and sharing their experiences with the facilitators and one another.