NLC Insists States Can Pay N615,000 Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted that states in the country can pay the proposed N615,000 minimum wage saying it is realistic.

The union also dismissed claims that some states cannot pay such an amount if approved.

“Well, I think we need to understand the issue of ability to pay and the issue of not getting the priority right now,” the NLC president Joe Ajaero said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today when asked if states can pay the current minimum wage can.

READ ALSO: Workers Day: NLC, TUC Bemoan Miserable Life Under Tinubu’s Government

“Most of the states that have shown a willingness to pay are not among those that are getting the highest revenue. Even during the time of Muhammadu Buhari, some states were declared as not having enough money to pay and he released funds for them to pay, those states still went ahead and refused to pay.

“Now, it’s not a question of whether the quantum of money they have or not is what they decide to do with such money. If they get their priority right, then a lot can happen.”

READ ALSO: NLC President Ajaero Bombs FG, Says 35% Pay Rise Is Mischievous, Demands N615k Living Wage

The unionist who suggested states should go into mechanised agriculture among others, believes self-sufficiency in food production will help Nigeria fight the biting economy.

“Remember I told you before that if we do what we are supposed to do in terms of what is expected of us as a government and as people and we’re able to check inflation, check all other indices; check the cost of foodstuff; go into massive agriculture; have a kind of self-sufficiency in the nation, then we will pay less attention to the quantum to hundreds and of millions and thousands,” Ajaero said.