The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, representing Organised Labour, left the previous meeting with the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage due to the Federal Government’s proposed N48,000 minimum wage. Recent reports indicate that the Federal Government has now raised the proposed minimum wage to N54,000, showing a willingness to address the concerns of Organised Labour and strive for a fair and sustainable minimum wage for Nigerian workers according to a reliable source. However, during the latest negotiations on the new minimum wage, Organised Labour rejected the revised N54,000 minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government. This negotiation was a direct response to the walkout staged by Organised Labour after the Federal Government proposed N48,000 as the minimum wage during the previous meeting. The subsequent meeting aimed to address the concerns raised by Organised Labour and find a resolution ensuring a fair and reasonable minimum wage for all workers. During this meeting, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) also proposed N54,000, while Labour insisted on its NN615,000 living wage demand. Sources who attended the follow-up meeting on Tuesday revealed that the Federal Government increased its offer from N48,000 to N54,000. However, Labour rejected this offer, and the meeting has been adjourned until Wednesday, as reported by an anonymous source. When asked whether the government’s side was showing any sign of seriousness, the labour leader stated, “No seriousness at all. Even state governors did not show up. Those who represented them, like Bauchi and Niger states, did not have the mandates to speak on their behalf. As for the private sector, we did not get to them before the meeting was adjourned, but we hope they also increase their initial offer.” Organised Labour reiterated its May 31, 2024 deadline for the implementation of the new minimum wage, with the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, insisting on a NN615,000 minimum wage, arguing that the amount was determined after analyzing the current economic situation and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six.
