The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is poised to start pressuring the government to comprehensively review the minimum wage, while also demanding for the introduction of a national minimum pension for retirees.
President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero made this known while speaking at the inauguration of the Godwin Abumisi Pensioners’ Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
According to him, the welfare of pensioners must receive the same level of attention as that of active workers.
Ajaero noted that organised labour would no longer advocate improved wages without seeking better living conditions for retirees.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress is currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he said.
He explained that the rising cost of living and galloping inflation have made it doubly difficult for many pensioners to survive.
The labour leader called on pensioners across the country to remain united and prepare for the struggles ahead.
According to him, “We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation.
“We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.”
