Organised Labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Wednesday pulled out of the ongoing new minimum wage negotiations with the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
The labour unions leaders who were angered by the N48,000 proposal by the Federal Government as the new national minimum wage, described the offer as ridiculous.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who spoke after the meeting explained that the government is not serious about negotiating with the Labour on the new minimum wage.
“The Government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 (forty-eight thousand Naira} as the Minimum Wage does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.
“In contrast, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) proposed an initial offer of N54,000 (fifty-four thousand Naira) though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 (seventy-eight thousand Naira per month) as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed and prevailing standards further demonstrating the minimum wage unwillingness of Employers and Government to faithfully negotiate a fair National Minimum Wage for Workers in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the Government’s failure to provide any substantiated data to support their offer exacerbates the situation. This lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process and erodes trust between the parties involved.
“As representatives of Nigerian workers, we cannot in good conscience accept a wage proposal that would result in a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 (thirty thousand Naira) as mandated by law, augmented by Buhari’s 40% Peculiar allowance (N12,000) and the N35,000 (thirty-five thousand Naira) wage award, totalling N77,000 (seventy-seven thousand Naira) only.
“Such a regressive step would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families and is unacceptable in a National Minimum Wage Fixing process,” a statement issued by the unions after the meeting read.
Ajaero highlighted that the Federal Government does not have the necessary data to negotiate with Labour, insisting that the Government have till the end of the month to arrive at a decision, while Labour will decide at the expiration of the ultimatum.
The Trade Union Congress is represented at the meeting by the Deputy President, Mr. Tommy Okon.
The NLC and TUC on May 1, earlier proposed that the Federal government should pay Nigerian workers N615,000 minimum wage, citing high cost of living as the bench mark for the proposal
