The leadership of organised labour in Ebonyi State has said that the current N70,000 minimum wage implemented by the state government can no longer meet workers’ basic needs following the economic hardship, high cost of living, and hike in commodity prices, school fees, and house rents.
Labour leaders expressed sadness over the worsening economic conditions in the state and across the country, which, combined with the government’s inability to address the situation, have left many workers feeding from hand to mouth.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki the Ebonyi State capital ahead of this year’s Workers’ Day celebration, the Ebonyi State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ogugua Egwu, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Igwe Chidi called for an urgent review of the national minimum wage in line with the Minimum Wage Act, which mandates a review every three years.
Comrade Egwu noted that this year’s Workers’ Day theme is “Reclaiming Civic Space Amid Economic Hardship ” and said the country’s hardship has reached an unprecedented level.
“If you look at the face of an average Nigerian worker, it is filled with wrinkles, exhaustion, and sadness. It tells the story of multidimensional poverty,” he lamented.
He stressed that Workers’ Day is a time to celebrate workers’ resilience and an opportunity to honour those who have excelled in service delivery. “This year, we are giving awards to deserving Ebonyi workers for their commitment, punctuality, and adherence to the civil service code.”
Egwu commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for implementing the new minimum wage but insisted that inflation has already eroded it. He particularly decried the skyrocketing cost of housing in Abakaliki, saying the high rents are unsustainable for workers.
“Houses that used to cost N240,000–N300,000 now go for between N700,000 and N1 million. I know someone who had to borrow from loan sharks to pay rent. This is one of our biggest challenges, and we will formally present it to the governor,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the state government’s ongoing housing projects will help cushion the impact in the long term, but urged speedy implementation.
He also called for investment in production and economic diversification to address inflation and improve workers’ welfare.
On his part, Comrade Igwe Chidi of the TUC said the N70,000 minimum wage has lost its value due to the rising cost of living.
“A bag of rice now costs over N70,000. If a worker spends their entire salary on just rice, how do they feed their family for the rest of the month? The minimum wage can no longer sustain anyone. Workers are going through severe hardship,” he stated.
Chidi said various unions under the NLC and TUC have held joint meetings in preparation for the May Day celebration, stressing the need for unity in demanding better welfare for Nigerian workers.
