The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its readiness to embark on a major nationwide struggle to secure a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage and the introduction of a national minimum pension.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the declaration during the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
According to Ajaero, discussions on workers’ welfare can no longer be separated from the welfare of retirees who have dedicated their productive years to national service.
He urged workers and pensioners to prepare for the ideological and economic battles ahead, stressing that organised labour remains committed to protecting the interests of both groups.
“The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement,” Ajaero said.
He disclosed that the NLC is already making preparations for a nationwide campaign aimed at achieving a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“Let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service,” he said.
Ajaero added that the Congress would not only press for a new minimum wage but would also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension.
“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 forced to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he stated.
The NLC president lamented the soaring cost of living, noting that the rising prices of food, healthcare and transportation have made life increasingly difficult for pensioners.
“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,” he said.
Ajaero called on pensioners across the country to remain united and ready for the struggle ahead, describing the newly commissioned Legacy House as more than just a building.
“This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of unity within the labour movement, noting that those who exploit workers often act in unison to advance their interests.
“We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees,” Ajaero added.
He described the completion of the Legacy House as a rallying point for workers, pensioners and all advocates of social justice, urging them to remain steadfast in the pursuit of improved welfare for Nigerian workers and retirees.
