The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Wednesday expressed deep disappointment as negotiations resumed at the Tripartite National Minimum Wage meeting.
Unfortunately, discussions hit an impasse due to what Organised Labour described as “the government’s apparent lack of seriousness in engaging in fair negotiations with Nigerian workers.”
Addressing a joint press conference in Abuja, the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero said, “Despite earnest efforts to reach an equitable agreement, the less than reasonable action of the Government and the Organised Private Sector has led to a breakdown in negotiations.”
According to Ajaero, the proposal of N48,000 by the Federal Government was an insult to Nigerian workers.
“Government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 (forty-eight thousand Naira) as the Minimum Wage does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.”
Ajaero noted that in contrast, the Organised Private Sector proposed an initial offer of N54,000.
“Though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards further demonstrating the unwillingness of Employers and Government to faithfully negotiate a fair National Minimum Wage for Workers in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the Government’s failure to provide any substantiated data to support their offer exacerbates the situation. This lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process and erodes trust between the parties involved.
“As representatives of Nigerian workers, we cannot in good conscience accept a wage proposal that would result in a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 (thirty thousand Naira) as mandated by law, augmented by Buhari’s 40% Peculiar allowance (N12,000) and the N35,000 wage award, totalling N77,000 only. Such a regressive step would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families and is unacceptable in a National Minimum Wage Fixing process.”
