Labour Storms Out Of Meeting As Federal Government Proposes N48,000 Minimum Wage
In a dramatic turn of events, Nigeria’s organized labour unions have dramatically exited the minimum wage negotiation meeting with the Federal Government. The abrupt departure came after the government’s proposal of a N48,000 new wage fell drastically short of the N615,000 demanded by the unions.
The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage, which reconvened on Wednesday to resume discussions, was left in disarray as representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) expressed their indignation over what they considered an insulting offer.
Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, a spokesperson for the NLC, conveyed the unions’ frustration, questioning the adequacy of the proposed amount in covering basic needs such as transport, food, clothing, and housing. The unions’ decision to walk out signals a significant setback in the negotiations, with the May 31 deadline looming ominously.
The government’s stance, presented by the Permanent Secretary of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Office, has been met with widespread criticism from the labour representatives, who have accused the government of not taking the negotiations seriously.
