… Says N70, 000, Manageable But Cannot Sustain Workers
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commended the Federal Government for increasing the Minimum Wage of workers to N70, 000 after series of meetings with the Organised Labour, even as he said that 70, 000 Naira Minimum Wage is manageable but cannot sustain a worker.
The Prelate who stated this at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, while fielding questions from newsmen, also praised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for being courageous in fighting for the wellbeing of workers.
The Prelate however, acknowledged the non-sustainability of the N70, 000 for an average worker, urging President Tinubu to keep his agreement with the organized labour of reviewing the minimum wage every three years.
He said, ‘I’m happy that the N70, 000 Minimum Wage is to be reviewed every three years unlike what was obtainable in the past, which will make a positive impact on the lives of workers.
‘Although the minimum wage for the nation’s workforce is manageable but it cannot sustain a worker for 30 days in view of the economic realities in Nigeria.
‘I urge President Tinubu to keep his agreement with the organized labour so that the minimum wage would be reviewed every three years.’
The Prelate urged government to cut down the cost of governance to enable them to improve the welfare of the workers, just as he advised the workers to suggest to government other ways they could raise funds to meet their demands.
He further charged workers to shun lackadaisical attitude to work and always discharge their duties creditably to justify their pay.
