An increase in the minimum wage and a general salary upward review are related but distinct concepts. A minimum wage increase sets a new baseline for the lowest wage legally payable to workers, often aimed at improving the earnings of those on the lowest income bracket. On the other hand, a salary upward review typically involves a broader assessment and adjustment of wages across various levels of employment, addressing the needs of workers earning above the minimum wage.

To illustrate, if the last minimum wage was 30,000 naira and it has now been increased to 70,000 naira, this represents a 133% increase. This is a substantial improvement for workers who were previously earning 30,000 naira or for new workers entering the workforce at the new minimum wage level. However, this increase primarily benefits those at the lowest end of the wage scale.

For workers already earning above the new minimum wage threshold of 70,000 naira, the situation is different. If these workers do not receive a proportional increase in their salaries, they might find that their purchasing power has diminished, especially in an economic context where the cost of living, including commodities and fuel, has risen by over 300%.

In such cases, a salary upward review becomes necessary to ensure that all workers, not just those earning the minimum wage, are fairly compensated. For instance, if the government increases the minimum wage by 133%, a similar percentage increase should be considered for other wage brackets to maintain equity and support the financial well-being of all workers. Merely increasing salaries by a flat rate, such as 40,000 naira across the board, does not adequately address the disparity, especially for those earning above 70,000 naira. This flat increment might translate to a mere 30%, 15%, or even less than 10% increase for higher earners, which is insufficient when juxtaposed with the significant inflation and rising costs of living.

Therefore, while the government's move to increase the minimum wage to 70,000 naira is commendable for uplifting the lowest earners, it may inadvertently neglect those who are already earning above this threshold. Without a concurrent review and substantial adjustment of the entire wage structure, these workers may continue to struggle financially, undermining the overall intent of wage increases.

In a democratic society with established civil rights and labor laws, it is essential that workers are not left to accept insufficient wages as a fait accompli but are compensated appropriately for their services. The government has a responsibility to ensure that salary adjustments keep pace with economic realities to protect the welfare of all workers, not just those at the minimum wage level.