The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to advocate for a ₦250,000 minimum wage during a pivotal meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja Today.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to PUNCH, this meeting is a key moment in ongoing discussions aimed at revising the nation’s minimum wage to better reflect the rising cost of living.
Benson Upah, the Head of Public Affairs for the NLC, confirmed the union’s stance, emphasizing their commitment to the ₦250,000 demand.
“We are going to the table with our demand of ₦250,000 even as the cost of living has since moved up. We have been very reasonable and patriotic,” Upah told our correspondent.
The NLC’s firm position follows a series of consultations and negotiations, underscoring the union’s determination to secure a living wage for Nigerian workers.
This proposed meeting comes nearly a month after President Tinubu, in his Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024, announced that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage would soon be presented to the National Assembly.
On June 25, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Tinubu, postponed deliberations on the new minimum wage memo to allow for further engagement with stakeholders.
This decision followed the submission of a report by the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage, chaired by Bukar Goni Aji.
The committee’s report, handed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, recommended a ₦62,000 minimum wage based on submissions from federal and state governments and the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
Despite this recommendation, labour leaders have steadfastly maintained their demand for a ₦250,000 minimum wage, citing the inadequacy of the current ₦30,000 minimum wage amid soaring inflation and the economic impact of recent government policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows.
The state governors, on their part, have expressed concerns about their ability to pay even the ₦62,000 minimum wage, creating a deadlock in negotiations.
This impasse led to an indefinite industrial action by labour unions on June 3, which significantly disrupted economic activities and government operations across the country.
The unions’ actions included the shutdown of airports, hospitals, banks, the national grid, and legislative complexes.
The strike was suspended following assurances from top government officials that the administration was willing to increase its offer.
President Tinubu had earlier established the tripartite committee in January to negotiate a new minimum wage ahead of the expiration of the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 in April 2024.
The committee includes representatives from Organised Labour, federal and state governments, and the OPS.
Two days after the FEC meeting, President Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shettima met with governors and ministers during the 141st meeting of the National Economic Council to discuss the new minimum wage.
However, the outcome of that meeting remains undisclosed.
