The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, announced that the Organised Labour will wait for President Bola Tinubu’s decision on the minimum wage proposals submitted by the Tripartite Committee.
Ajaero emphasized that no industrial action will be taken until the President reviews the two proposals: Labour’s demand for ₦250,000 as a living wage and the ₦62,000 proposed by the federal and state governments along with the Organised Private Sector. These proposals were submitted to the President on Monday via the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Speaking at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Ajaero stated, “Two reports have been sent to the President, and the NLC will wait for the next line of action based on how the President handles this matter.”
Ajaero also criticized the state governors under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for deeming the ₦62,000 minimum wage proposal unsustainable.
This stance contrasts with earlier statements from Labour, which had given the Federal Government a one-week notice to address workers’ demands, set to expire on June 11, 2024. Chris Onyeka, an Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, had indicated that if no tangible response was received, the Organised Labour would decide on resuming the previously paused nationwide industrial action.
Labour had initially declared an indefinite strike on June 3, 2024, due to the current ₦30,000 minimum wage being inadequate amidst rising inflation and economic pressures. Following a commitment from the government to consider a wage above ₦60,000, the strike was relaxed on June 4, 2024.
The tripartite negotiations, which began with Labour proposing ₦615,000 and subsequently lowering it to ₦250,000, have yet to reach a consensus. The government’s highest offer remains ₦62,000. The final decision now rests with President Tinubu, who is expected to forward an executive bill to the National Assembly to enact the new minimum wage.
The NLC continues to stand firm on ₦250,000 as a realistic living wage, rejecting both the government’s ₦62,000 offer and the ₦100,000 proposed by some individuals and economists. Ajaero stated, “We will not negotiate a starvation wage.”
As the nation awaits the President’s decision, the outcome will determine the future actions of the NLC and TUC in their ongoing fight for a fair and sustainable minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
