By Divine Ihechimerem
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has renewed its call for a living wage for Nigerian workers and better living conditions for the masses. This comes amidst a protracted negotiation deadlock between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), the government, and the private sector over a new minimum wage. The impasse, which has lasted over three weeks, has led to increased tension and dissatisfaction among workers and the general populace.
In a statement signed by Chinedu Bosah, National Publicity Secretary, CDWR said the deadlock centers on the government and private sector’s insistence on a N60,000 minimum wage, which led to the declaration of an indefinite strike starting on June 3, 2024. The strike, however, was suspended just a day later for five days, a suspension period during which many labour leaders traveled to Switzerland for International Labour Organisation (ILO) meetings. This marks the second suspension of industrial action this year, with a previous two-week ultimatum lapsing in March following the suspension of a nationwide protest in February.
“The June 3 strike was notably more effective and widely supported compared to previous strikes since 2016, shutting down major sectors of the economy including transportation and electricity. Despite this momentum, the labour leadership’s subsequent inaction allowed the government and private sector time to regroup. Critics argue that the labour leaders’ extensive delegation to Switzerland was unnecessary and that more effective mobilization could have been achieved locally.
‘The issue of wages remains a critical point of contention. Nigerian workers are often condemned to low wages by the capitalist ruling elite to maintain their profits and lavish lifestyles. Despite the official N30,000 minimum wage, many states have yet to implement it fully, with Zamfara State only recently adopting it in June 2024, five years after it became law. The CDWR stresses that weak Nigerian capitalism relies on low wages, making the struggle for a genuine living wage and resistance to anti-people policies paramount for the trade union movement.
“The urgency of this struggle is underscored by Nigeria’s current economic hardship, with inflation at 33.95% and soaring living costs making basic necessities unaffordable for many. The CDWR highlights the stark contrast between the government’s resistance to a higher minimum wage and the extravagant spending on luxuries for politicians, such as the N57.6 billion expenditure on SUV cars for the National Assembly.”
The CDWR urged the NLC and TUC to call for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage of no less than N200,000 and the reversal of anti-poor policies. The organization also calls for the automatic adjustment of the minimum wage in line with inflation and living costs to prevent prolonged negotiations and ensure wages keep pace with economic realities.
Furthermore, the CDWR advocated the creation of a pan-Nigerian democratic and working people’s political party on a socialist platform to challenge the capitalist ruling elite and plan the economy for the benefit of the majority. The ongoing economic crisis in Nigeria, mirrored in many other countries, highlights the instability of the capitalist system and the need for a sustainable, long-term solution.