The Federal Government has proposed a new minimum wage of 54,000 naira as the Committee on the New Minimum Wage resumed negotiations after the Organised Labour withdrew from talks last week.
In this week’s reconvened meeting, the Federal Government increased its proposal from the initial 48,000 naira to 54,000 naira. It was reported that the Organised Labour rejected the new proposal, deeming it significantly lower than the 615,000 naira demanded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, was adjourned to Wednesday, May 22, for continued negotiations. The Organised Labour, which includes the NLC and the TUC, has given the Federal Government until the end of May to finalize the new minimum wage discussions. The unions also instructed their members in states failing to pay the current 30,000 naira minimum wage to prepare for industrial action.
The Federal Government missed the deadline to present a nationally acceptable minimum wage before Labour Day on May 1, causing tension with labor unions. NLC President, Joe Ajaero reiterated the demand for a 615,000 naira minimum wage, citing an analysis of the economic situation, the rising cost of living, and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six as justifications.
With the cost of living increasing following the removal of the fuel subsidy, calls for a new minimum wage have become more pressing. Ajaero and other labor leaders have given the Federal Government a deadline of May 31st to meet their demands.
