The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have firmly rejected the Federal Government’s proposed minimum wage of ₦100,000, stating that the government has the capacity to offer a higher amount.
In an interview, the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, emphasized that Organised Labour used the “barest minimum” estimates in arriving at their demand for a ₦615,000 minimum wage. Upah argued that the government’s previous action of hiking electricity tariffs by 250% has further increased the cost of living, necessitating an even higher minimum wage.
Upah stated, “If the government is serious, it should not be thinking about one hundred thousand naira. You know that when you create poor citizens, you create a poorer country.”
The comments come after Organised Labour withdrew from the negotiation meeting last week when the government offered a ₦48,000 minimum wage. However, the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, Alhaji Bukar Goni, has now invited Organised Labour to a meeting, indicating that the government may be willing to reconsider its position.
The NLC spokesman advised the government to approach the negotiations more seriously and address the concerns of workers, stressing that Organised Labour will honour the invitation for the upcoming meeting but will not accept the ₦100,000 proposal.