Under Tinubu’s led administration, the Federal Government has reportedly proposed N54,000 as a new minimum wage.
This comes after the Organised Labour, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, staged a walkout during the latest meeting with the Tripartite Committee regarding the proposed N48,000 minimum wage.
A highly reliable source present at the ongoing meeting disclosed this information to Punch correspondent in Abuja.
“The Federal Government has now proposed the sum of N54,000,” the reliable source stated.
Although it remains unclear whether Labour will accept this offer, reports indicate that the Federal Government’s proposal is significantly lower than the N615,000 demanded by the organized Labour.
The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, stood firm on the demand for a N615,000 minimum wage. He justified this figure by citing an analysis of the current economic climate and the necessities of an average Nigerian family of six.
Ajaero placed blame on the government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) for the breakdown in negotiations, stating, “Despite our earnest efforts to reach a fair agreement, the unreasonable actions of the Government and the Organised Private Sector have caused negotiations to falter.”
However, speaking on behalf of the OPS, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, characterized the unions’ walkout before negotiations had even begun as regrettable.
The NECA DG admonished the union leaders to reconsider their position and return to the negotiation table in the interest of their members and national development.
However, Ajaero justified their decision to abandon the negotiation, saying, “The government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 as the minimum wage does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.
“Though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards further demonstrating the unwillingness of employers and Government to faithfully negotiate a fair national minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.’’
He criticized the government for not furnishing data to substantiate its proposal, highlighting that this lack of evidence undermined the credibility of the negotiation process.
“Moreover, the government’s failure to provide substantiated data to support their offer exacerbates the situation. This lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process and erodes trust between the parties involved,” remarked the NLC president.
He reiterated the unions’ steadfast commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of Nigerian workers.
Tinubu urged the government to reconsider its stance and approach the negotiation table with transparency, acknowledging the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the socioeconomic realities facing citizens today due to government policies.
In January 30, 2024,Tinubu, represented by Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage tasked with proposing a new minimum wage before the current N30,000 wage expires on April 18.
The committee, comprising representatives from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labor, is mandated to recommend a new national minimum wage.
During the inauguration, Shettima urged committee members to expedite their deliberations and submit their reports promptly.
He emphasized the importance of timely submission for the emergence of a new minimum wage.
As part of its mandate, a zonal public hearing was held simultaneously on March 7 in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Abuja.
Various figures for a living wage were proposed by the NLC and TUC in different states, citing the current economic challenges and high living costs. In the South-West states, NLC members proposed N794,000, while TUC suggested N447,000.
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