Labour’s New Minimum Wage demand most unrealistic; FG’s 100% increase not affordable, sustainable – Pro. Solomon Alao

The Federal Government has been warned not to accede to the ‘skyrocket’ demands of increased Minimum Wage by the Organised Labour.

Recall that Nigerian workers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had recently embarked on strike to demand for an increase in Minimum Wage to the tune of N494,000. Both the Federal Government and the Labour Unions were yet to reach a consensus on the issue.

The Supreme Head of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Prophet (Dr.) Solomon Adegboyega Alao, while speaking with journalists in Lagos, warned the Federal Government   against yielding to the unrealistic demand of labour leaders because it would be catastrophic and damaging the economy of the nation further.

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Said he, “Before commenting further on the minimum wage increase issue, 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 will needlessly lost for those two days when health institutions were shut down. I hope our lawmakers would immediately consider the desirability of legislating against shutting down essential services because of industrial dispute.

“The nation cannot afford or sustain the labour unions demand of new Minimum Wage.”

Prophet Alao believed that rather than demanding for ‘unrealistic’ salary increase, 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 throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“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 government at all levels would raise up the current taxation.

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

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