As the World and Nigeria celebrates the International Labour Day, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) recalls the origins of the day from the struggles and advocacy of workers
for a decent work environment, decent wages, expansion of the civic space and social justice. We salute Nigerian workers for their resilience, contributions to the economy and wealth creation and their struggle for the democracy and enhancement of life in larger freedom in Nigeria.

CSJ is however concerned that:

• The minimum wage of seventy thousand naira only remains unimplemented across many states of the Federation and in the private sector.

• The minimum wage of seventy thousand naira remains a starvation wage as it is a paltry $43.75 and one of the least in the continent of Africa.  It has been severely eroded by an inflation rate of 24.3%. This contrasts with the massive and humungous salaries, allowances and perks of office of elected and appointed public officers.

• There is massive unemployment and underemployment, at an all-time high despite the play and redefinition of the basis of calculation of unemployment by the National Bureau of Statistics.

• A constricted civic space where labour movement activities are seen as opposition to the government of the day and met with the full weight of governmental suppression and oppression.

• The Federal Government, in control of all the forces of coercion for the protection of law and order, has neglected, failed and refused to protect lives and property across many states of the Federation (especially in the light of the recent killings in Benue and Plateau states). Many rural dwellers who are basically farmers can no longer safely earn their livelihood.

In the light of the foregoing, CSJ calls on Federal and State Governments to:

• Fully implement the minimum wage of seventy thousand naira and pay arrears in states that have defaulted.

• Start the minimum wage review process for the negotiation of a living wage for Nigerian workers.

• Fully ensure the protection of lives and property which is the reason for the existence of government.

• Take steps through public procurement in a Nigeria First policy and other developmental policies to increase value addition in agriculture, manufacturing and service delivery in the public and private sectors. This will increase employment and raise taxes for fiscal governance.

• Lift restrictions on the civic space and allow the blossoming of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria.

CSJ congratulates Nigerian workers for surviving the hardship while calling on the Federal, State and Local Governments to take urgent steps to ameliorate the economic hardship before it is too late.

Eze Onyekpere

Lead Director