Labour’s minimum wage demand not affordable – C&S Leader

By Omoniyi Salaudeen

As dialogue for a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers continues, the Supreme Head of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria Prophet (Dr.), Solomon Adegboyega Alao, has cautioned the Federal Government not to accede to the demands of the organized labour, saying the proposed N494,000 is not sustainable.   

This note of warning is coming on the heels of the recent strike action embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart to press home their demand for what they referred to as a living wage.

Dr Alao, while speaking with journalists in Lagos, warned the Federal Government against yielding to the unrealistic demand, saying it would be catastrophic and damaging to the economy.

“I think it is most inhuman by the labour leaders to shut down health institution at all levels and the energy sector. I could imagine how many lives would have been needlessly lost in those two days when health institutions were shut down. I hope our lawmakers will immediately consider the desirability of legislating against shutting down essential services because of industrial disputes.

“The nation cannot afford or sustain the labour unions’ demand for a new Minimum Wage,” he said.

Rather than demanding for unrealistic salary increase, he said, the labour unions should have negotiated for free education up to at least OND level, free medical facilities for the workers and improved infrastructural development across the country.

“A skyrocketed salary increase would worsen the living standard of workers because all service providers would add a corresponding increase to the cost of service provided plus an element of profit to remain in business. It makes sense to expect that the government at all levels would raise up the current taxation.

“I, therefore, appeal to both the government and labour leaders to carefully consider the consequences of a massive salary increase in the light of our prevailing situation,” he added.

 While stating that the country cannot sustain a 100 percent salary increase for workers, Prophet Alao declared that Nigerian workers would be worse off by such an increase in wages in the final analysis, as it would lead to massive unemployment and criminality among the youths.