The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its readiness for a nationwide struggle to secure a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage, while also demanding the establishment of a national minimum pension for retirees.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the declaration during the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it was no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without giving equal attention to the welfare of pensioners who had devoted their productive years to serving the nation.
He urged workers and pensioners to prepare for the ideological and economic battles ahead, stressing that organised labour was fully prepared to defend their interests.
“The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement,” he said.
According to Ajaero, the NLC is already in the preparatory stages for a major national campaign to secure a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
He said organised labour would also push for the establishment of a national minimum pension, describing the absence of such a framework as a historical injustice against retired workers.
“It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he said.
The NLC president noted that the rising cost of living had made food, healthcare and transportation increasingly unaffordable, leaving many retirees struggling to survive.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” Ajaero said.
He called on pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, describing the newly commissioned Legacy House as a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity for the struggles ahead.
Ajaero stressed that the working class must remain united to defend its collective interests and ensure government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.
He also urged workers to build a stronger labour movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments to Nigerian workers and pensioners.
The NLC president reaffirmed the Congress’ commitment to demanding the immediate payment of outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“We will continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve,” Ajaero said.
