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Shehu Sani |
Ex-Kaduna legislator, Shehu Sani, has urged the Federal Government to tackle the minimum wage issue to avert strikes by organised labour.
Sani voiced this appeal during an Arise Television interview that DAILY POST observed.
He mentioned that the federal government of Nigeria is capable of handling the minimum wage increase.
“I can't fathom how a Nigerian survives on less than N100,000 when you consider what the government proposes, N45,000-48,000; it's quite unrealistic once you account for various expenses. The stance of labour should be taken seriously by the government.
"It's one aspect to agree to a minimum wage hike and another to have the means to pay. We must remember that in recent years, the government has struggled to pay the existing wages, so the practicality of any increase needs consideration.
However, since the subsidy withdrawal, the government seems to have increased funds, and there's no better use for this than to raise the minimum wage for Nigerian workers to a level where they can comfortably support their families,” he stated.
The former lawmaker believes the government can afford a minimum wage of N615,000, suggesting that a living wage for workers is a viable idea at a “reasonable level.”
Sani also highlighted that the citizens' dissatisfaction stems from the perception that they are the sole contributors to the nation's economic sacrifices.
“With economic reforms underway, there are inevitable repercussions. These should be sacrifices shared by all.
Workers notice the influx of money in trillions and seek their portion. Subsidies traditionally add value to wages, but once removed, the cost is passed on to the populace,” he remarked.
