The president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that the federal government delegation could not break down for organized labour how it arrived at the N48,000 minimum wage.
Organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday, May 15, walked out of meeting it had with the federal government following the presentation of N48,000 and N54,000 for Organized Private Sector (OPS) as proposed minimum wage from the government.
Labour had proposed N615,000 as the minimum wage ripe for Nigerian workers considering the economic hardship and inflation crushing the country’s economy.
Joe Ajero, NLC president and Tommy Okon, TUC deputy president who represented Festus Osifo led the walkout against federal government’s delegation.
In a joint statement, Ajero and Okon said the proposed minimum wage by Tinubu-led administration was insult to Nigerian workers. The statement added that the federal government has shown it has no regard for Nigerian workers.
“The 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.
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“In contrast, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) proposed an initial offer of N54,000 (fifty-four thousand Naira) though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 (seventy-eight thousand Naira per month) as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed and prevailing standards further demonstrating the minimum wage unwillingness of employers and government to faithfully negotiate a fair National Minimum Wage for workers in Nigeria.”
NLC and TUC in the statement added, “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 (thirty-five thousand Naira) wage award, totaling N77,000 (seventy-seven thousand Naira) 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.”
TUC president, Osifo, speaking on national television, during an interview, on Wednesday night, May 15, said the federal government delegation could not break down how it arrived at N48,000 and N54,000 minimum wage for public workers and private sector workers.
Osifo said the government’s inability to show mathematical break down was responsible for organized labour’s walk out.
