Former Kaduna lawmaker Shehu Sani has urged the Federal Government to address the issue of minimum wage to prevent potential strikes from organized labor. In an interview with Arise Television monitored by DAILY POST, Sani emphasized that increasing the minimum wage is feasible for the Nigerian government.
He highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerians trying to survive on less than N100,000, stating that the current proposed wage of N45,000-48,000 is unrealistic when considering various expenses. Sani urged the government to seriously consider the demands of labor unions, especially given the country’s recent economic reforms and increased revenue from the removal of subsidies.
Sani argued that the government has the financial means to implement a minimum wage of N615,000, suggesting that a living wage for workers is reasonable and necessary. He acknowledged the sacrifices required for economic reforms but stressed the importance of equitable distribution of benefits across society.
According to Sani, discontent among citizens arises from the perception that they are bearing the brunt of economic reforms without reaping the benefits. He emphasized the need for shared sacrifices and fair distribution of resources to address the grievances of workers.