Business
Don Wants Living Wage For Nigerian Workers
Against the backdrop of agitation by the organised labour for the payment of the new minimum wage in the country, a professor of Political Science at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAEU), Alafuro Epelle, has called for the implementation of a living wage for Nigerian workers.
Professor Epelle made this call while delivering the 24th inaugural lecture of the university, last Thursday titled, “Between Father, Son And Ghost Who is Accentuating the Payment of Wages of Sin to Nigerian Workers?”
He noted that the current wage of workers in the country encourages corruption, starvation and frustration.
According to him, “the average Nigerian worker is more frustrated, depressed and liable to commit suicide.”
The university don insisted that the current wage of workers in the country cannot sustain families and urged government to implement a living wage for workers.
He blamed the situation on deliberate policy by government to balkanize labour, coupled with the fact that most labour leaders have compromised their legitimate duties to workers.
He called on the labour leaders to educate and raise the consciousness of Nigerian workers and also play a role in policy formation in the country.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Nmekuri Ndemili, in his remarks, lauded Prof. Epelle for his propositions, and counselled on the need to revamp the economy.
Ndemili regretted that the Naira was losing its purchasing power due to inflation and poor renumeration of workers in the country.
By: Kevin Nengia