Daud Olatunji
Negotiations for a new minimum wage in Nigeria has hit another snag as the Federal Government’s fresh offer of ₦54,000 was rebuffed by Organised Labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
A closed-door meeting, held between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that this botched offer falls drastically short of the N615,000 proposed by the unions, setting the stage for further tensions between labour and the government.
PLATFORM TIMES further reports that the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage reconvened after Organised Labour withdrew from negotiations the previous week.
During this week’s meeting, the Federal Government raised its initial offer from ₦48,000 to ₦54,000.
However, a source within the meeting revealed that the proposal was promptly rejected by Organised Labour.
The closed-door meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, May 22, to resume discussions.
The unions had given the Federal Government until the end of May to conclude negotiations for a new minimum wage.
In response to the impasse, the unions directed their members in states that are yet to implement the ₦30,000 minimum wage to prepare for industrial action.
Labour’s insistence on the ₦615,000 minimum wage stems from an analysis of the economic landscape, exacerbated by the rising cost of living and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six, as stated by NLC President Joe Ajaero.
The looming deadline of May 31 set by labour leaders adds pressure on the Federal Government to meet their demands.
The unresolved issue comes at a time when the removal of fuel subsidy has further escalated the cost of living, intensifying calls for a new minimum wage across Nigeria.
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