The Labour union expected that the minimum
wage for Lagosians would exceed ?100,000, considering the peculiarities of
Lagos in transportation, accommodation, utility and feeding.
It, however, acknowledged that Sanwo-Olu took
a step in the right direction.
“We were expecting nothing less than N100,000
but, at least it is a step in the right direction,”the labour union stated.
Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced that the
minimum wage for civil servants in the state is ?85,000.
The Governor announced this during an
interview with Channels Television.
He said,“I’m glad to let you know that the
minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is ?85,000
today.
“It is not a competition. I am not going to
say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability
and capacity.
“We know too well that when people live in
Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of the cost of living. We are fully aware.
“We also increased our salary earlier in the
year. I will want to come back in January and say that I have been able to
increase the minimum wage of Lagos to ?100,000, not because I want to make
anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a living wage.”
In a statement issued to journalists on
Thursday, Labor representatives characterized the endorsement as a significant
and positive move.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour
Congress, Lagos State Chapter, Funmi Sessi, remarked that the new minimum wage
approved for Lagos workers is a timely and encouraging development given the
nation’s current economic challenges.
Sessi noted that the union had anticipated a
minimum wage exceeding N85,000, considering the unique circumstances within the
state.
“The state governor knows the peculiarities of
Lagos in transportation, accommodation, utility and feeding; the workers and
Lagosians pay more on all these.
“We were expecting nothing less than ?100,000
but at least it is a step in the right direction.
“We are expecting a massive infrastructure
provision in the state; there should be an alternative to road
transportation,“she said.
The chairman urged the government to ensure
security and protection of lives on waterways.
“Recently, there was an accident that happened
where two boats collided at night, and we lost lives.If people are sure of
getting to their destinations safely, they will like to take alternatives to
the road,”Sessi noted.
Also,
Ishola
Adejumo,
the Chairman of Radio, Radio, Television,
Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, also commended
the governor for the approval.
He described the cost of living in Lagos as
very high, saying that there was a need for a commensurate wage.
“The ?85,000 minimum wage is a welcome
development and very much anticipated.
“This is a state that sets the pace for other
states in Nigeria; the centre of excellence, land of aquatic splendour, a
cosmopolitan state, the economic hub of this country.
“Therefore, people who work in Lagos deserve a
better wage because they spend more compared to other states,”he said.
Adejumo urged the governor to sustain the
tempo in other areas.
“The governor should sustain the BRT subsidy
and all other measures that will bring succour and happiness to the working
people of Lagos.
“We congratulate him and thank him,”he said.
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