The federal government has urged labour leaders and other stakeholders to resume negotiations on the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
According to Naija News, Bukar Goni, the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, sent a letter dated May 16, 2024, inviting labour leaders to a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.
This development comes barely 24 hours after the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) walked out of a meeting of the minimum wage negotiation committee on Wednesday, citing what they termed a ridiculous offer from the government.
During the meeting, the government proposed a new minimum wage of ₦48,000, while the Organized Private Sector (OPS) suggested ₦54,000. In contrast, the labour leaders maintained their demand for a ₦615,000 minimum wage for workers.
In a statement released after the meeting, the labour leaders expressed disappointment, accusing the federal government of demonstrating a lack of seriousness with the amount it proposed.
They described the ₦48,000 suggested as the new minimum wage by the federal government as an insult to the sensibility of Nigerian workers.
However, according to Punch, there are indications that the government may review its proposal upward during the fresh meeting.
The chairman of the tripartite committee, in his letter, has reportedly indicated the government’s willingness to reconsider its ₦48,000 offer.
The letter, titled “Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage: Negotiation,” reflects the government’s intention to continue discussions with the labour leaders and other stakeholders.