Organized Labour has pulled out of the Minimum Wage negotiation following the government’s decision to peg the National Minimum Wage at N48,000, which did not go down well with Labour.
In a Press Statement jointly signed by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the TUC Deputy President, Comrade Tommy Etim, Labour expressed disappointment over the government’s insincerity and insensitivity that has led to the breakdown of negotiation that lasted for months.
Labour criticised the government’s proposal, describing it as not only ridiculous but insulting and failing to meet up with the current economic realities.
They criticized the lack of seriousness displayed by both the government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in reaching a fair agreement.
While noting the detrimental impact of any proposed wage reduction, particularly on federal-level workers who are already struggling to make ends meet, they reiterated the Unions’ commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of Nigerian workers, emphasizing the need for a wage that reflects the true value of their contributions.
It would be recalled that the Organised Labour is proposing a N615,000 minimum wage, which according to them is grounded in evidence and data, as a reflection of the objective socioeconomic realities facing Nigerian workers.
