We Didn’t Sign New Minimum Wage Report Submitted To Tinubu – NLC

• NLC and TUC leaders did not sign the new minimum wage report submitted to President Tinubu.

• Labour leaders expect consultations before the new minimum wage bill is sent to the National Assembly.

• NLC and TUC deny knowledge of the proposed wage figure and aim to secure the best offer for workers.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared on Thursday that they did not sign the new minimum wage report submitted to President Bola Tinubu.

The labour leaders stated that they expect President Tinubu to consult with them and other stakeholders before transmitting the new minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for consideration.

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NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo made these remarks during the International Labour Conference organized by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ajaero and Osifo also denied any knowledge of the proposed new minimum wage figure in the report submitted to the President but vowed to ensure that Nigerian workers receive the best possible offer.

Last Friday, the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) agreed on N62,000 as the new minimum wage, while Labour insisted on N250,000.

Speaking on Thursday, however, at a joint press briefing, Ajaero said that labour expected the President to invite tripartite bodies to a meeting where the ability to pay will be discussed before arriving at a final figure.

He said: “We do not expect the President to present a final figure to the National Assembly without consulting with organised labour, employers, and state governors. Everyone will still come together to discuss before transmission to the National Assembly.

“Moreover, we have not seen the content of what has been submitted to the President. We will insist on seeing the content and appending our signatures to every page. We will not append our signatures to any page we are not comfortable with.

“As representatives here, we cannot specify the exact amount until we consult, review the offers, and determine what is fair for Nigerian workers,” Ajaero told journalists.

The TUC president added that even when the figure is transmitted to the National Assembly, labour will continue to lobby and push for a better deal in its bid to secure the best possible figure for Nigerian workers.

Osifo added that urgency must be involved in negotiating a new minimum wage because the economy is harsh and people are suffering already. He added that they would demand payment of arrears whenever the new minimum wage is approved.

The TUC President said: “It took about two years to conclude the last minimum wage negotiation. That duration was due to fewer challenges compared to what we face now. Food prices are high, the Naira is devalued, and energy costs have escalated.

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“Currently, urgency is paramount. We don’t have the luxury of time. Negotiations began in January this year, and we are already discussing sending a bill to the National Assembly for a new minimum wage law.

“Since April 18, 2024, Nigeria has lacked a minimum wage law. However, I assure Nigerians that labour will demand arrears payment, regardless of when the new law takes effect.”

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