By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The Organised Labour has rebuffed the Federal Government’s proposal of N54,000 as the revised minimum wage for workers in the country. This offer was made during the New Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee meeting in Abuja, as an alternative to the N615,000 initially demanded by Labour.
Mr. Benson Upah, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasized the union’s unwavering commitment to securing a wage that provides a decent standard of living for workers. He expressed discontent with the government’s lack of substantial commitment to the negotiations, pointing out that the latest offer had only been raised to N54,000.
When questioned about the possibility of accepting the offer, he promptly dismissed the idea, stating that the union’s stance remains unchanged. He highlighted the exorbitant cost of living in the country, making it impossible for workers to sustain themselves on such a meager wage.
Tommy Okon, the First Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), echoed this sentiment in a conversation with the Daily Sun, affirming that the union would not entertain the Federal Government’s proposal.
Following the breakdown of talks between Labour and the government, which occurred after the government suggested N48,000 as the new minimum wage, while the private sector proposed N54,000, Labour denounced the government’s lack of sincerity. They viewed the offer as a disrespectful gesture towards Nigerian workers.
