…Urges FG to return to the negotiation table with a more realistic offer that reflects the true value of the contributions made by Nigerian workers
By Chris Udochukwu
ABUJA – In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday during the negotiation between the federal government and the organised labour, the unions rejected the federal government’s offer of N48,000 as the new national minimum wage.
Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria walked out of the tripartite committee meeting following the breakdown of negotiations.
This is also as the labour unions have also called on the government to reconsider its position and return to the negotiation table with a more realistic offer that reflects the true value of the contributions made by Nigerian workers to the nation’s development and the socioeconomic realities they face.
The labour centres expressed their disappointment with the government’s proposal, which they consider an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerian workers and a significant shortfall from their needs and aspirations.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja after storming out from the meeting, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and the deputy president of TUC, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, insisted on a N615,000 minimum wage for workers.
They justified the proposal of a N615,000 national minimum wage with the current economic realities and data, which they said also aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to ensure a living wage for Nigerian workers.
Although the Organised Private Sector (OPS) had proposed an initial figure of N54,000; however, according to the unions, the amount is still below the N78,000 minimum wage that the least paid workers in the private sector receive.
According to the labour leaders, this discrepancy has highlighted the unwillingness of both employers and the government to negotiate a fair national minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.
They further stated that the lack of substantiated data from the government to support its offer had only worsened the situation, as it undermines the credibility of the negotiation process and erodes trust between the parties involved.
They insisted that the current federal-level workers’ minimum income, which stands at N77,000— comprising the mandated N30,000 minimum wage, a 40 percent peculiar allowance, and a N35,000 wage award would see a reduction if the government’s proposal was accepted.
This potential decrease in income is deemed unacceptable by the labour representatives.
They said, “Despite earnest efforts to reach an equitable agreement, the less than reasonable action of the government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) has led to a breakdown in negotiations.
‘’The government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 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, though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 per month.
Subsequently, the NLC and TUC walked out of the negotiation process.
They, however, expressed readiness to continue to engage in reasonable dialogue with the government towards a fair and sustainable resolution to the matter.
