The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure workers in the state receive a living wage.
This appeal was made by the party’s Lagos State publicity secretary, Mrs. Olubunmi Odesanya, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
As Governor Sanwo-Olu marks the first anniversary of his second tenure, Odesanya urges him to address the socio-economic challenges facing residents. She emphasised that many Lagosians, including workers, are struggling to meet their daily needs.
Odesanya appealed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider the plight of workers in their deliberations on the minimum wage. She stressed the need for a wage that reflects current socio-economic realities, allowing workers to lead dignified lives.
“We are all watching in awe the minimum wage debacle. The current minimum wage of N30,000 is due for review this year, 2024, as stipulated by the labour law. This review should not generate so much apprehension, but the country’s economic difficulties have made it a critical issue,” Odesanya stated.
She highlighted the urgent need for both federal and state governments to ensure a living wage for workers, who she described as “laying the golden egg.”
Odesanya also pointed out that the immediate removal of the fuel subsidy by the federal government had significantly increased the cost of goods and services, making them unaffordable for the poor and middle class.
“In Nigeria today, there is no middle class anymore; you are either extremely poor or super rich. The inflation rate is also high,” she said.
The Labour Party’s call comes as workers and residents of Lagos continue to grapple with rising living costs and economic instability.
