The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday vehemently rejected the Federal Government’s proposed minimum wage of N48,000, describing it as ‘insulting’ and ‘an attempt to reduce wages’.
The Labour union leaders spoke yesterday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of the minimum wage negotiation meeting with government representatives.
The Labour unions, which had met with government representatives earlier, expressed disappointment and frustration at the government’s unwillingness to engage in reasonable negotiations.
They are demanding a minimum wage of N615,000, which they believe is a fair and sustainable amount based on evidence and data.
According to NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the government’s proposal is not only unacceptable but also falls short of meeting the needs and aspirations of Nigerian workers.
Ajaero noted that the current minimum wage of N30,000, augmented by the 40 per cent peculiar allowance (N12,000) and the N35,000 wage award, totals N77,000, which is still below the proposed N48,000.
He described the government’s offer as a ‘wage reduction’ and an ‘insult’ to Nigerian workers.
The NLC president said, “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.
“Essentially, they called us to discuss wage reduction, which seems to be the initial aim of this committee. The N615,000 we proposed is for them to challenge it. Negotiation is typically led by labour unions. However, the government merely mentioned N48,000 without any breakdown of the figure and showed no willingness to discuss it. There is no seriousness.
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“The Government’s failure to provide any 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.”
Also speaking, the TUC Deputy President, Dr. Tommy Okon, criticised the government for paying lip service to the welfare of Nigerian workers, despite gaining significantly from the removal of the fuel subsidy.
He described the government’s proposal as a “regressive step” that would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families.
Okon said, “For the Tinubu administration to have gained so much from the removal of the fuel subsidy, only to invite us to discuss wage reductions, shows that the government is paying lip service to the welfare of Nigerian workers. It indicates a significant amount of mistrust, and that trust deficit has not been resolved.
“As representatives of Nigerian workers, we cannot in good conscience accept a wage proposal that would result in a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 as mandated by law, augmented by Buhari’s 40 per cent Peculiar allowance and the N35,000 wage award, totalling N77,000 only. Such a regressive step would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families and is unacceptable in a National Minimum Wage Fixing process.
“We call upon the Government to reconsider its position and come to the negotiation table with clear hands that reflect the true value of the contributions made by Nigerian workers to the nation’s development and the objective socioeconomic realities that confront not just Nigerian workers but Nigerians today as a result of the policies of the federal government.
“Together, in a reasonable dialogue, we can work to give Nigerian workers a N615,000 national minimum wage as proposed by us based on evidence and Data. This will be in keeping with the pledge of the President; his Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pledge to ensure a Living wage for Nigerian workers.”
The Labour unions have vowed to continue advocating for the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and have called on the government to reconsider its position and come to the negotiation table with a clear and reasonable offer.
They argued that the government’s failure to provide substantiated data to support their offer has led to a trust deficit and an impasse in the negotiations.
The stalemate in the minimum wage negotiations has raised concerns about the potential impact on the economy and the welfare of Nigerian workers. The Labour unions have threatened to embark on industrial action if the government fails to meet their demands.
The Federal Government has yet to respond to the Labour unions’ rejection of their proposal, but it is clear that the minimum wage negotiations have reached a critical point. As the impasse continues, Nigerian workers and the general public wait with bated breath to see how the situation will unfold.
