Former NLC Vice-President Labels NLC’s N485,000 Minimum Wage Proposal “Unrealistic”

In a press conference held on Saturday in Kano, Isa Tijjani, a former Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), voiced concern over the continuous strikes initiated by labour unions, emphasizing the significant threat they pose to the nation’s already fragile economy.

Tijjani urged labour unions to seek alternative means of resolving differences with the government, emphasizing the adverse impact of incessant strikes on the nation’s economy.

“The country is in a critical situation, and incessant strikes and protests will injure the economy. When the economy is in tatters, everybody will suffer because we all depend on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” he cautioned.

Highlighting the economic challenges faced by the nation, Tijjani criticized the proposed N485,000 minimum wage by the unions, deeming it unfeasible given the current economic realities. He accused NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, of allegedly contributing to potential economic and political crises with excessive calls for industrial action.

“Bargaining power is not always 100 per cent, but as a pressure group, if you have 62 per cent of what you are looking for, you then negotiate and allow peace to reign,” Tijjani suggested, expressing concerns about the deviation from the NLC’s primary role of protecting the collective rights of Nigerians.

Today, Tijjani argues, the integrity of the NLC is at stake, urging a return to their core responsibilities for the greater good of the nation.