ECONOMIC HARDSHIP: Federal civil servants demand N300,000 minimum wage

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged the federal government to promptly raise the minimum salary for workers from the present N70,000 to N300,000. This demand stems from the escalating economic difficulties faced by employees, as soaring expenses for food, transportation, energy, and healthcare have diminished their purchasing power.

During a recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, ASCSN's National President, Shehu Mohammed, made this call alongside the Minister of Labour and Employment. Mohammed emphasized that temporary measures like wage awards are insufficient; a lasting salary increment is required to reflect current economic conditions.

Sharing the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria's (TUC) view, Mohammed also expressed frustration over the government's failure to fully execute previous relief initiatives, especially the 2023 wage awards, which has undermined workers' trust in short-term relief solutions. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammadu Dingyadi, responded by advocating for improved collaboration between the government and labor unions, proposing that both parties resolve disputes through constructive dialogue instead of strikes or prolonged disputes.