Again, Labour rejects FG’s N54,000 new minimum wage offer

 

The organized labour led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have rejected the N54,000 offered by the federal government as the new minimum wage.

 

The offer was made to representatives of labour during a meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday for further negotiations.

 

The organised labour had walked out of  a meeting last week following the proposal of N48,000 as minimum wage by the Federal Government.

 

According to a Punch newspaper report quoting sources in the meeting, the organized labour insisted on its earlier position of N615,000.

 

One of the sources said: “Well, during the meeting, the government increased its offer from N48,000 to N54,000. However, labour rejected that offer and the meeting has been adjourned till Wednesday.”

 

When asked if the government’s side was showing any sign of seriousness, the labour leader said, “No seriousness at all. Even state governors did not show up. Those who represented them, like Bauchi and Niger states, did not have the mandates to speak on their behalf.

 

“As regards the private sector, we did not get to them before the meeting was adjourned but we hope they also increase their initial offer.”

 

Organised labour on Monday reiterated its May 31, 2024 deadline for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

 

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, insisted on N615,000 minimum wage, arguing that the amount was arrived at after an analysis of the current economic situation and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six.

 

He blamed the government and the OPS for the breakdown in negotiation, saying, “Despite earnest efforts to reach an equitable agreement, the less than reasonable action of the Government and the Organised Private Sector has led to a breakdown in negotiations.”

 

In a statement released at the end of the jointly held NEC meeting by the NLC and TUC which was signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC president and Festus Osifo, TUC president, the unions said they acknowledge the ongoing negotiations between the NLC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector and the Federal Government regarding the new national minimum wage.