Director-General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ajayi Kadri, has urged the organized labour unions to reconsider their position over the planned nationwide strike beginning from Monday.
Kadri’s appeal comes after the organized labour declared a nationwide indefinite strike on Friday, citing the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000. The unions’ decision followed the expiration of an earlier request to finalize negotiations by the end of May.
He urged stakeholders to collaborate in strengthening the economy rather than pushing for wage increases during this difficult period.
Meanwhile, the MAN DG, has confirmed that the organized private sector has agreed to the government’s proposal for a new minimum wage of N60,000.
Kadri clarified that the ongoing negotiations are focused on establishing a minimum wage rather than a living wage, which is the lowest amount that can be paid to any worker in the country.
He made this public during an exclusive interview with Channels TV, and monitored by Africa health report (AHR), on Saturday, in Abuja.
Emphasizing the economic difficulties faced by both labor and private businesses, Kadri highlighted the extreme challenges in meeting the wage demands of labor unions.
“To start with, this is a very difficult time for anyone to negotiate minimum wage. From the perspective of government, labor, and organized private sector, we operate in an environment where there is general acceptance of the fact that the macroeconomics are not right, even the global economy is experiencing a lot of shakeups and the aftermath of government necessary reforms,” Kadri stated.
Kadri disclosed that both the government and the private sector face significant constraints in meeting the proposed N419,000 living wage request.
He noted that the private sector is grappling with economic challenges and inflation, making it impossible to pay such an amount.
“This is not the most appropriate time for organized labor to negotiate a new minimum wage,” Kadri explained.
“This is the time for us to agree, the crew behind the government, and grow the economy in such that we will bake a bigger cake and then we’ll be able to share.”
