House of Representatives opposition caucus leader Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda has adduced reasons why 42 lawmakers endorsed a motion seeking a living wage for Nigerian workers.
The Rivers State-born lawmaker, along with 41 lawmakers from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, tabled the timely motion on the living wage at plenary last week.
Speaking at a sideline on the motion, Chinda said:” No lawmaker today in Nigeria is happy about the situation in the country. That’s why we’re pushing for a living wage for all Nigerian workers. The take-home pay can not take the worker home. We are very disturbed by the turn of events.
Chinda said: “The rising inflationary rate in the country has had a negative effect on the cost of living with the galloping inflation that cuts across all facets of life.
“As captured in the motion, Trade Economics reported the living wage for an individual Nigerian and a Nigerian family in 2018 to be N43,200 per month and N137,600/respectively, but this is pre-subsidy removal.
“Presently, no labourer can live in Nigeria with a wage less than N100,000 monthly.
“Also, according to the World Bank report, low purchasing in the country occasioned by high inflationary rate has increased poverty across the country.
“But Nigerians should be rest assured that the resolutions reached by the HoR have been activated, and the ad hoc committee will transmit the outcome to the Senate for speedy concurrence.
“As representatives of Nigerians, we are very disturbed, and we will not rest on our oars until there is a permanent solution.
