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We Won’t Shift Ground, NLC Insists On N615,000 Minimum Wage

Published

6 months ago

May 19, 2024.

We Won’t Shift Ground, NLC Insists On N615,000 Minimum Wage.
NLC President Joe Ajaero argues the N615,000 figure is based on current economic realities and necessary expenses for an average Nigerian family.
Labour unions threaten potential withdrawal of services if the government does not reconsider the offer, citing the current N30,000 minimum wage as unsustainable.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has firmly rejected the Federal Government’s proposed minimum wage of N48,000.

The unions have maintained their demand for a N615,000 minimum wage, arguing that the government’s offer is insufficient to meet the needs of Nigerian workers.

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The dispute over the minimum wage has escalated, with the latest round of negotiations breaking down after the Federal Government’s offer of N48,000. This offer falls significantly short of both the N615,000 demanded by the unions and the N54,000 suggested by the organised private sector as a living wage.

During an emergency press conference, the NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, expressed the unions’ frustration, labeling the government’s proposal as an “insult to the sensibilities of Nigerian workers.” Ajaero emphasized that the N615,000 demand was calculated based on the current economic realities and the cost of living for an average Nigerian family of six.

He explained the detailed breakdown of the N615,000 figure, citing expenses such as housing, electricity, food, healthcare, and transportation. According to Ajaero, these costs highlight the inadequacy of the government’s proposed N48,000 minimum wage. He argued that the current economic conditions necessitate a much higher wage to ensure workers can meet their basic needs without falling into poverty.

NLC’s National Treasurer, Hakeem Ambali, reinforced this stance, stating that the labour unions would only return to the negotiation table if the government reconsidered its offer. He criticized the government’s lack of understanding of the economic pressures facing workers, including rising food prices, increased electricity tariffs, and the removal of fuel subsidies.

NLC Insists

Ambali highlighted that the government’s proposal does not reflect the true cost of living in Nigeria. He pointed out that even the N100,000 figure suggested by some experts falls short of meeting workers’ needs. Ambali insisted that any acceptable minimum wage must be based on empirical data and thorough economic analysis.

The labour unions have also accused the Federal Government of failing to engage seriously with the fundamental issues that have rendered the current N30,000 minimum wage unsustainable. They warned that if their demands are not met, workers may be forced to withdraw their services, not as a strike, but due to the sheer inability to afford commuting to work.

In conclusion, the labour unions have called for a comprehensive review of the minimum wage, urging the government to implement policies that address inflation and support the welfare of Nigerian workers. They remain resolute in their demand for a N615,000 minimum wage, emphasizing that anything less would not be viable under the current economic conditions.

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