Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has urged for equitable treatment across all sectors, including governors and members of the National Assembly, in response to the Nigerian government’s proposed N62,000 minimum wage.
The Catholic Priest expressed concerns about the secrecy surrounding government officials’ salaries, warning of potential public discontent and unrest if inequality persists in the country.
Mbaka emphasized that the proposed minimum wage of N62,000 should also apply to governors and members of the national assembly.
He cautioned that failure to address the grievances of the labor force, which recently paused its strike action pending negotiations on the new minimum wage, could lead to civil unrest.
Mbaka stressed the importance of fair compensation for all workers, particularly essential service providers like teachers, nurses, and civil servants, whose roles are crucial to society.
He criticized the discrepancy between the earnings of public officials and the wages of workers, highlighting various allowances that officials receive.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) recently initiated a nationwide strike to demand an increase in minimum wage and protest against rising electricity tariffs.
The strike was suspended following government assurances of a significant wage increase.
