NLC pushes for N250,000 wage, declines N62,000

The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC pushes for N250,000 minimum wage, declines N62,000.  NLC believes that the proposed minimum wage is too low and they advocating for a higher wage that better reflects the value of workers’ labor.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is slamming the government’s proposed minimum wage of ₦62,000, calling it a “starvation wage” that’s woefully inadequate. According to Chris Onyeka, the NLC’s Assistant General Secretary,  suggested alternative of ₦100,000 falls short of what workers truly deserve. He stated this  during Monday morning show  on the television.

Tuesday deadline Stands to go again for strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government and National Assembly, stating that the one-week grace period granted last Tuesday, June 4, 2024, will come to an end by midnight on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. If the government and legislative body fail to meet the demands of workers by then, the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) will convene an emergency meeting to discuss the restart of the nationwide strike, which was temporarily suspended last week. This implies that if the government does not take decisive action by Tuesday, the labour unions will reunite to decide on resuming the industrial action, potentially leading to widespread protests, demonstrations, and work stoppages across the country.

Be aware of the following

Following unsuccessful discussions over a new minimum wage, Labour initiated an indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, 2024, leading to widespread disruption as airports, hospitals, the national grid, banks, and government establishments were shut down.

Labour argued that the current ₦30,000 minimum wage is inadequate due to rising inflation and the impacts of recent policy changes, such as the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows.

They also pointed out that many governors have not been paying the current wage, which expired in April 2024.

President Bola Tinubu set up a tripartite committee in January 2024 to negotiate a new minimum wage. The labour unions’ initial demand was ₦615,000, later reduced to ₦494,000. The government and private sector’s proposals, peaking at ₦60,000, were rejected, leading to the strike.

On June 3, 2024, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced the President’s commitment to a wage above ₦60,000, prompting Labour to suspend the strike on June 4, 2024, and resume negotiations.

The President tasked Finance Minister Wale Edun with creating a new wage template. Despite intense discussions, no consensus was reached by June 7, 2024.

Labour reduced their demand to ₦250,000, while the federal government offered ₦62,000.

Both parties have now submitted their proposals to the President, who will decide and forward an executive bill to the National Assembly for legislative approval.

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