Organised Labour has firmly rejected proposals of N62,000 or N100,000 as the minimum wage for workers, labelling them as “starvation wages.”
The union remains steadfast in its demand for a N250,000 minimum wage, as stated during the latest Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage meeting on Friday.
Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasised this stance on Monday. He reiterated that the union’s position is non-negotiable and based on the economic realities faced by Nigerian workers.
Onyeka noted that the Federal Government was given a one-week ultimatum last Tuesday, which expires at midnight on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Should the government and National Assembly fail to meet their demands, the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) will convene to consider resuming a nationwide industrial action.
“Our position is very clear. We will not accept N62,000 or any wage below what is necessary for Nigerian workers to live decently. We have never contemplated N100,000, let alone N62,000. Our demand is N250,000, which we believe is a fair compromise,” Onyeka stated.
He stressed that the responsibility now lies with the Federal Government and National Assembly to enact a National Minimum Wage Act that aligns with the union’s demands. If the government fails to respond adequately, the union will reconsider its paused nationwide strike.
“We are ready to resume the strike if necessary,” Onyeka warned, emphasizing the union’s commitment to securing a livable wage for all Nigerian workers.
