Olufemi Ajadi, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), has called on lawmakers to address workers' demands for a new minimum wage with sensitivity and realism. Ajadi emphasized the need for National Assembly members to back a minimum wage that reflects the current economic conditions.
In a statement released yesterday, Ajadi, who was the NNPP governorship candidate for Ogun State in 2023, highlighted the crucial role civil servants play as the government's engine room, responsible for revenue generation. He noted that the delay in agreeing on a new minimum wage has caused significant hardship for workers.
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Ajadi expressed disbelief that governors and lawmakers, who receive substantial salaries and allowances, claim they cannot afford the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, a figure put forward by the Federal Government but rejected by labor unions. He pointed out that workers and lawmakers face the same market prices for essential goods.
"Our lawmakers should realize workers buy at the same market with lawmakers and the rich," Ajadi said. "Federal legislators, in passing the new minimum wage, should be sincere with the economic reality in the country where N62,000 cannot even buy a basket of tomatoes and a bag of beans, which sells at about N150,000."
