By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Labour awaits decision on new Minimum Wage talks.
The new minimum wage talks between the Federal Government and Organised Labour are expected to conclude today, with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress leaders awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s decision on their N250,000 offer. The negotiations have been a focal point of discussion, with the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector agreeing on N62,000, while Labour has maintained its demand for N250,000. The Nigeria Governors Forum has expressed concerns about the sustainability of a minimum wage higher than N60,000, adding complexity to the ongoing deliberations.
The labour leaders had given a Monday deadline for the conclusion of talks on the new minimum wage. They are now anticipating the President’s response to the proposals presented by the tripartite committee. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and other top union officials had left the country to participate in a labour conference organized by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland. The labour leaders are expected to hold their National Executive Council meeting upon their return from Geneva, based on the feedback from the president.
Organised Labour, comprising the NLC and TUC, embarked on a two–day nationwide strike last Monday and Tuesday to demand a new minimum wage for workers and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike. The strike was suspended for five days after signing a commitment with the Federal Government to resume negotiations and come up with a new minimum wage within a week.
To expedite the talks, the President directed the finance minister, Wale Edun, to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days. Tinubu also directed the government representatives to work collectively with the organized private sector and the sub-nationals to achieve a new affordable wage award for Nigerians. The finance minister presented the cost implications of implementing a new national minimum wage to Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, alongside the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, on Thursday. The president was said to be reviewing the proposal, after which he would make an official announcement.
Minimum wage, Labour
Labour awaits decision on new Minimum Wage talks