The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that Nigerian workers are currently grappling with the worst survival crisis in the country’s history, describing the situation as more severe than what was experienced during the civil war or the era of austerity measures.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the crisis of financial security has pushed Nigerian workers to the bottom of the economic ladder, even when compared with workers in war-ravaged African countries such as Somalia and Sudan.

According to him, declining incomes, rising insecurity and soaring living costs have combined to make daily survival an uphill task for workers, many of whom can no longer meet basic needs despite working harder.

He said: “The simple and natural progression is that a man must eat to survive. However, when a man’s work does not provide adequate income to enable him to ‘eat’, survival becomes very difficult. When survival as a human becomes a stiff struggle, the worker becomes deeply insecure as he becomes exposed to existential demands that can only be met financially.

“The Nigerian worker is heavily stressed and constantly on edge with little hope for savings, asset accumulation, or long-term security. Unfortunately, this has become the current lived reality of Nigerian workers and masses.

“Real wages have stagnated and nose-dived over time. Most salaries, especially in the public sector and many private firms, have not kept pace with inflation. The national minimum wage of N70,000 (seventy thousand naira) is grossly inadequate for basic needs. Where the price of a bag of rice is higher than the national minimum wage should challenge the conscience of any leader.

“Currency depreciation has contributed to the growing inflation. The naira having lost significant value against major currencies has increased the cost of imported goods, fuel, and services. This directly impacts the cost of living for everyone, including workers.

“Nigerian workers have continued to face high cost of essential goods and services and fuel price surges as a result of hikes in fuel prices. These have led to a sharp increase in transportation costs and base costs of production, affecting prices of all goods and services.

“Food inflation has made acceptable nutrition inaccessible to the average Nigerian worker. Soaring food prices consume a large portion of workers’ incomes, leaving little for other expenses, most of the time taking about 80% of the average worker’s monthly income.

“Unemployment and underemployment have created a large pool of the unemployed, putting severe pressure on the determination of the value of the Nigerian worker. This has also led to growing informal and low-paying jobs without security.

“Nigerian workers are confronted with weak social safety nets as a result of inadequate or non-existent unemployment benefits, health insurance, and pension coverage for many, especially in the informal economy. Even formal economy pensions (like the Contributory Pension Scheme) often provide insufficient benefits due to low contributions and economic volatility, which undermines the future integrity of present contributions.

“High cost of housing and transportation remains a growing challenge. Urban rent and transportation costs are disproportionately high relative to average incomes, forcing long, expensive commutes for workers. Many have had to stay throughout the week in their offices without going home to avoid transport costs.

“Multiple taxation and deductions: workers face numerous statutory deductions (taxes, pension contributions, union dues, etc.) that reduce take-home pay without corresponding improvements in public services.

“The Nigerian worker is subjected to increasing hikes in electricity and telecom tariffs, including tolls on some public highways. Left and right, the Nigerian worker faces increasing extortion and emasculation of his wages. Poor public infrastructure and self-funding of services make mincemeat of workers’ incomes. Workers spend significant portions of their income on alternative power (generators/inverters), water, security, and private healthcare due to failing public infrastructure.

“Finally, the general high level of insecurity and displacement has created one of the worst financial security conundrums for Nigerian workers. In some regions, conflict and terrorism disrupt livelihoods, displace families, and destroy assets, pushing workers into poverty – that is when they are not killed in the process.

“In summary, Nigerian workers are caught in a relentless squeeze between macroeconomic instability and systemic failures. Skyrocketing inflation, a depreciating currency, and stagnant wages have decimated purchasing power, while the high costs of essentials – food, fuel, housing, and transportation – consume the bulk of their incomes. Compounding this is widespread job insecurity, a lack of robust social safety nets, and the necessity to privately fund basic services due to crumbling public infrastructure.

“Together, these factors create a cycle of financial precarity where saving or investing for the future becomes a luxury, and mere daily survival is the priority. Without significant interventions to stabilise the economy, raise real incomes, and strengthen social protections, the financial insecurity facing the workforce will continue to undermine both individual well-being and the country’s broader economic prospects. It is in the interest of the Government and indeed our nation that action be taken to mediate these threats confronting the Nigerian workers.” (The Sun)

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