In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have walked out of the ongoing minimum wage negotiations with the government and the Organised Private Sector.
The unions expressed their outrage at the Federal Government’s proposal of N48,000 as the national minimum wage, describing it as insulting and falling significantly short of meeting the needs and aspirations of Nigerian workers.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasised the unions’ dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to the negotiations, stating, “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.”
He also criticised the lack of transparency and good faith in the negotiation process, which has eroded trust between the parties involved.
The joint statement signed by Ajaero and TUC Deputy President Tommy Okon highlighted the stark disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards in the private sector, further underscoring the unions’ discontent with the government’s offer.
The unions had proposed a minimum wage of N615,000 for Nigerian workers, citing the high cost of living as the basis for their demand. They emphasized that accepting a lower wage proposal would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families, and is unacceptable in the national minimum wage fixing process.
With tensions escalating and an ultimatum set by the unions, the future of the minimum wage negotiations remains uncertain, raising concerns about the potential impact on the labor force and the broader economy.
