Inflation renders N70,000 minimum wage meaningless – AUPCTRE

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Professional Services Employees, AUPCTRE, says inflation has eroded the value of N70,000 national minimum wage.

The National President of AUPCTRE, Mr Benjamin Anthony, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Anthony said prevailing economic realities had made it increasingly difficult for workers to meet their basic needs inspite of the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

He noted that the rising costs of food, transportation, accommodation, healthcare, and education had significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.

“Today, a family of six cannot survive on N70,000 because the cost of food, transportation, accommodation, healthcare, education, and other basic needs has risen significantly.

“The current minimum wage has been swallowed up by inflation and the prevailing economic realities.

“Workers are finding it extremely difficult to cope, and that is why we keep saying that the minimum wage and salary review are not the same.

“As inflation continues to rise, the government should regularly review salaries to cushion the hardship,” he said.

“What Nigerian workers need today is a living wage that reflects the realities of the economy and enables them to live with dignity,” he said.

Mr Anthony urged the Federal Government to adopt policies that would improve workers’ welfare and protect their earnings against rising inflation.

He said salary reviews should be carried out regularly to complement the national minimum wage and cushion the effects of increasing living costs.

“The minimum wage and salary review are two different things.

“When inflation increases, the government should continue to review salaries to reflect current economic realities,” he said.

Mr Anthony commended states that had introduced salary adjustments beyond the minimum wage to ease the burden of economic hardship on workers.

“Some states are reviewing salaries upward to cushion the effects of hardship, and we expect the Federal Government to do the same,” he said.

The labour leader called on policymakers to prioritise improved wages, social protection, and better working conditions to enhance workers’ productivity and well-being.

“The Nigerian worker is dedicated and committed to the progress of this country.
What workers need now is a living wage,” Anthony said.

He added that improved remuneration and workers’ welfare would strengthen productivity and contribute to sustainable national development.
NAN