….The programme will follow ILO’s method to improve wage-setting systems
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced plans to set up a wage data hub, as part of its first programme on living wages.
The wage data hub will be created to help ILO member states, which includes Nigeria, to make informed decisions about setting wages by addressing the root causes of low pay.
It will also work to improve wage-setting systems, including collective bargaining and minimum wage processes.
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The programme was launched by Gilbert F. Houngbo, director-general of International Labour Organisation (ILO) along with Luc Triangle, general secretary of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Roberto Suárez Santos, secretary-general of International Organization of Employers (IOE), in line with the 2024 tripartite agreement on wage policies, including living wages.
Living wage calculations will now follow the ILO’s method, relying on data from national statistics offices and consulting organisations representing both workers and employers.
“It is more important than ever that we take action to ensure that every worker earns a living wage so they and their families can lead a decent life”, Houngbo stated.
“We live in a world in which inequalities remain enormous, social cohesion is under pressure, and where millions of workers are unable to afford a decent standard of living for themselves and their families. In this context, it is more important than ever that we take action to ensure that every worker earns a living wage so they and their families can lead a decent life”, he explained.
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“The adoption of an ILO agreement on living wages constituted a major breakthrough to advance the wellbeing of millions of workers and their families worldwide”, Triangle added.
“….However there is major work to be done before the promise of a living wage for all workers is to be realized”, she said.
Santos highlighted the importance of the living wage concept for companies operating on a global scale. He pointed out that implementing it effectively requires consideration of both workers’ and their families’ needs alongside economic realities. Addressing informality and fostering a supportive business environment remain crucial to this initiative.
The programme aims to secure backing from new stakeholders, including governments, private enterprises, and other interested parties.
