The Federal Government has reportedly proposed a new minimum wage of ₦54,000. This development comes after representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) staged a walkout during the previous meeting with the Tripartite Committee, protesting the initial proposal of ₦48,000 as the new minimum wage.
The Federal Government has reportedly proposed a new minimum wage of ₦54,000 following intense negotiations with the Organised Labour, which comprises the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
This offer is an increase from the initially proposed ₦48,000, which led to a walkout by labor representatives during the last meeting with the Tripartite Committee.
A source from the ongoing discussions in Abuja confirmed to *Punch* that the government had agreed to this new figure.
However, it remains uncertain whether this proposal will be accepted by the labor unions, as it is still significantly lower than the ₦615,000 minimum wage that the NLC had insisted upon.
NLC President Joe Ajaero justified this demand, stating that it was based on a thorough analysis of the current economic conditions and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six.
Ajaero criticized the government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) for the breakdown in previous negotiations, accusing them of making an unreasonable offer that failed to meet the basic needs of Nigerian workers.
He highlighted the disparity between the proposed minimum wage and the actual wages paid in the private sector, where the least paid workers receive around ₦78,000, as stated by the OPS.
Ajaero further expressed frustration with the government’s lack of transparency and data to support their proposals, which he argued undermines the negotiation process and erodes trust between the involved parties.
The organized labor’s stance remains firm on achieving a wage that adequately reflects the economic realities faced by workers across Nigeria.