The ongoing discussions between the Federal Government and Organised Labour on the new minimum wage are set to conclude on Monday (today), as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) await President Bola Tinubu’s decision on their N250,000 proposal.
Labour leaders had set a Monday deadline for the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiations. Last Friday, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage concluded its meetings, where the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector agreed on N62,000, while Labour demanded N250,000. However, the Nigeria Governors Forum stated that any minimum wage higher than N60,000 was unsustainable.
Speaking on Sunday, labour leaders indicated that all parties were awaiting the President’s decision on the proposals submitted by the tripartite committee. For security reasons, the labour leaders requested anonymity. It was disclosed that NLC President Joe Ajaero and other top union officials had left the country to attend a labour conference organized by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Labour sources informed that upon their return from Geneva, the labour leaders would hold a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to decide on their next course of action, based on the President’s feedback. “We have submitted the report to the president and we are waiting for him to make his decision. That is the most important thing and that is what we are all waiting for,” said a senior NLC official.
Another source within the NLC commented on the Monday deadline, stating, “We have sent a report to the committee and we are expecting the president to act on it. We will hold a NEC meeting regarding the ultimatum when we return from Geneva.”
Last Monday and Tuesday, Organised Labour, comprising the NLC and TUC, embarked on a two-day nationwide strike demanding a new minimum wage for workers and a reversal of the electricity tariff hike. The strike was suspended for five days following a six-hour meeting between labour leaders and the National Assembly in Abuja, where a commitment was signed to resume negotiations and establish a new minimum wage within a week.
To expedite the discussions, President Tinubu directed Finance Minister Wale Edun to present the cost implications of a new minimum wage within two days. On Thursday, the finance minister, along with the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, presented these cost implications to the President at the Presidential Villa.
President Tinubu is currently reviewing the proposal and is expected to make an official announcement soon. Labour leaders and the nation await his decision, which will determine the next steps in this crucial negotiation.
