The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is preparing for a new campaign to demand a cost of living allowance for Nigerian workers. This move comes as many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising living costs.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed deep concern over the severe economic hardship affecting Nigerians since the current government took office.

Ajaero said the N70,000 national minimum wage does not meet the rising cost of living in the country. Workers are still struggling to afford basic needs, despite the wage increase.

He explained that when the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) began talks for the new minimum wage, they hoped to agree on a fair amount based on the actual cost of living. But those hopes were dashed.

According to Ajaero, the government’s team came to the negotiation table unprepared. The unions asked questions like how much of the N70,000 would cover transport, food, and housing. They listed out essential items such as cooking gas and a bag of rice, but got no real answers from the government team.

Ajaero said the unions insisted on a living wage and suggested linking the wage to inflation. That way, if inflation rises, wages would rise too. But the government refused to agree to that.

He recalled how workers went on a national strike and held protests. The unions even reached a deal with the President to accept N70,000 only if fuel prices were not increased—a promise the government did not keep. In the end, they had no choice but to accept the N70,000 offer.

Now, Ajaero says the value of that wage has dropped significantly due to inflation. Even the temporary wage award provided to help workers has been stopped.

He concluded by saying that workers are justified in demanding a cost of living allowance, given the difficult situation they face every day.