Controversy Trails Labour Party (LP) N100000 Minimum Wage Proposal
The leadership of the Labour Party has voiced a variety of opinions regarding the suggested minimum wage.
The LP hierarchy expressed conflicting opinions on Peter Obi’s alleged plan to increase the minimum wage from N30,000 to N100 000 if elected on Thursday night.
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When Obi announced his campaign platform via his official Twitter handle, he sparked hope among many Nigerians, especially the working class.
The 72-page manifesto, titled “It is POssible: Our Pact with Nigerians,” was released amid rumours, internal LP squabbling, and the firing of Doyin Okupe, the campaign’s director general.
While the drama of accusations and denials surrounding Okupe’s dismissal persisted, a senior party official declared on Thursday that the former governor of Anambra would increase the minimum wage of workers from the pitiful N30,000 to roughly N100,000 if he wins the 2023 presidential election.
Ayo Olorunfemi, the Deputy National Chairman of the LP, revealed to the host of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday that they hope to increase the new minimum wage to between N80,000 and N100,000.
“The party is eyeing N80,000 to N100000,” he stated. However, it also depends on the type of position that would be offered. For instance, a cursory examination of the manual labourer reveals that he does not earn less than N2,500 to N3,000 per day, which is still unacceptable in terms of the pay scale. You will be talking about N500 per hour if you divide N3,000 by six hours.
If you compare that to what we currently have, you would undoubtedly be talking about wages between N500 and N1,000 per hour, depending on the type of work, and at the end of the day, someone could legitimately claim to be able to earn up to N4,000 per day. And if you take N4,000 per day and multiply it by 20 or 25, you get N80,000 or N100,000 per month.
Yunusa Tanko, spokesman for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, agreed with him and told our correspondent that paying employees N30,000 in salary is an insult to any serious government.
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While acknowledging that the LP presidential candidate wants to see workers lead comfortable lives, Tanko also said that the party is adamant about making amends for some wrongs, such as the ongoing dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
“Our plan includes escalating the issue of salary payment. Do not forget that the majority of the Nigeria Labour Congress members are also party members. As a result, they will support and help set the new minimum wage in Peter Obi’s campaign for president.
“As a Labour member, these are issues that we are carefully considering in our campaign proposal. These are some of the issues that will also be related to ASUU when the union is expected to receive full compensation in line with the workforce.
“I personally watched the episode and can attest to the fact that our goal is to increase workers’ job satisfaction. We all visit the same markets, after all. However, it is inexcusable for them to receive a salary of N30,000 when they are unable to manage one bag of rice. It is extremely offensive,” he said.
When contacted, Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman, declined to comment.
Please give me some time, he pleaded. I will be back soon.
He has not yet responded to his deputy’s proposal for a N100,000 minimum wage that was broadcast on national television as of the time this report was filed.
Olorunfemi was reprimanded by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, in response to his statement, claiming that he lacked locus standi to speak on behalf of the flag bearer.
He lacks the authority to speak or make such a claim. Only the candidate for president could make such a statement. Olorunfemi was not told to say something like that. We do not know where he obtained the information from.
“We are aware that Mr. Peter Obi is not easily amused. He could not just declare at random that he would raise the minimum wage from N30,000 to N100,000.
“Remember that he is running for senator in Ondo as well. He is most likely speaking for himself before he joins the Senate. Perhaps by that time, he will be able to make progress toward raising it to that level.
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