Bamgbose Betty, former Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and current chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, has proposed that members of the Senate should receive the minimum wage to understand the challenges faced by Nigerian workers. In an interview on Monday, Betty expressed frustration with the government’s handling of minimum wage negotiations, emphasizing that such an experience would make lawmakers more empathetic to the struggles of the average Nigerian worker.
Betty criticized the prolonged negotiations over the minimum wage and called for immediate action, stating, “Enough is enough.” She argued that if senators and other high-ranking officials had their salaries pegged to the proposed minimum wage, it would provide a realistic perspective on the financial hardships endured by workers. Speaking at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital laboratory, she underscored the economic difficulties faced by workers, noting that salaries often deplete within days due to the high cost of living.
Despite the ongoing strike, Betty acknowledged that essential medical and health services were still operational. She affirmed that while critical duties continue to be fulfilled, non-essential workers were advised to comply with the strike directive and stay home.