- The labour bodies proposed N494,000 as the new minimum wage, citing inflation and the prevailing economic hardship in the country while rejecting the federal government’s N60,000 offer.
- On June 7, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) said a N60,000 minimum wage would prove unsustainable.
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has reiterated that the union’s demand for a minimum wage of ₦250,000 remains unwavering.
This stance comes despite an agreement between the federal government and the organized private sector to implement a minimum wage of ₦62,000.
President Bola Tinubu has requested more time to consult with relevant stakeholders before presenting the new minimum wage law to the National Assembly, but the NLC remains resolute in its push for a higher minimum wage of ₦250,000.
The labour union’s firm stance is a testament to their commitment to fighting for the rights of workers and ensuring a fair living wage.
The minimum wage debate continues to be a contentious issue in Nigeria, with the government and labour unions at odds over the appropriate amount.
Organised labour will meet President Bola Tinubu again in seven days to continue discussions on the minimum wage for workers.
Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, minister of state for labour, expressed confidence that the minimum wage issue would soon be resolved.
The minister spoke shortly after President Bola Tinubu met with the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“It is a fruitful meeting, father and children. I think we are hopeful that very soon everything will be resolved,” she said.
“Of course, when father and children talk, you know what it is. That’s just exactly what has happened. It took us almost about an hour. I believe that it’s all for good.”
On his part, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, said the meeting was not a negotiation but a discussion with the president.
“In a real sense, it wasn’t a negotiation but a discussion, and we have had that discussion,” Ajaero said.
“We agreed to look at the real terms probably and reconvene in the next one week.
“So that’s where we are. We didn’t go down there to talk naira and kobo. At least there were some basic issues that we agreed on.
“We didn’t go into naira and kobo discussions. Now the status quo in terms of the amount N250,000 and N62,000 remains until we finish this conversation.”
Festus Osifo, TUC president, said the meeting looked at the issues “bothering and biting Nigerians today”.
At the last meeting of the tripartite committee set up to negotiate the minimum wage, labour rejected the N62,000 proposed by the government and lowered its demand to N250,000.