The ongoing dispute between the Nigerian government and labor unions over a new national minimum wage has raised the prospect of a resumed nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress.
According to reports, the Tripartite Committee tasked with negotiating the new minimum wage has increased its previous proposal from 60,000 naira to 62,000 naira. However, labor unions under the Organized Labour banner are insisting on a minimum wage of 250,000 naira.
After the latest meeting, the Tripartite Committee leadership indicated that both the 62,000 naira and 250,000 naira proposals will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu. The president is expected to review the proposals and then send a bill to the National Assembly for the final consideration and adoption of a new national minimum wage law.
It is worth noting that the initial 60,000 naira proposal had previously led labor unions to withdraw from the negotiation process and declare an indefinite nationwide strike. The strike action was later suspended after a meeting brokered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, which included a commitment from President Tinubu to pay a new minimum wage higher than 60,000 naira.
The president had also directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to present the cost implications of a new minimum wage within two days. However, the details of this proposal have not been made public.
With the labor unions adamant on their 250,000 naira demand, the failure to reach a compromise could potentially lead to the resumption of the suspended nationwide strike, further heightening the tensions between the government and organized labor in Nigeria.