Organized labour has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, setting May 31 as the deadline for concluding negotiations on the minimum wage. Failure to meet this deadline could result in a nationwide industrial action, warned labour leaders during the May Day celebration at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu pledged his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare through a new minimum and living wage. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu assured workers of forthcoming wage adjustments and better working conditions.
Labour leaders reiterated their demand for a minimum wage of N615,000 and presented an 18-point demand to the government, emphasizing the need for a two-year minimum wage lifespan with automatic adjustments triggered by inflation exceeding 7.5%.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commended Nigerian workers for their resilience and urged them to resist anti-people tendencies undermining democratic principles. Meanwhile, Peter Obi of the Labour Party expressed solidarity with workers, recognizing their contributions to nation-building.
NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC counterpart Festus Osifo highlighted the dire living conditions faced by workers and decried the government’s delay in concluding minimum wage negotiations. They emphasized the necessity of a living wage to lift workers out of poverty.
Labour leaders also condemned the current energy crisis, demanding action on refineries and transparency in the oil sector. They urged the reversal of electricity tariff hikes and called for reassessment of privatization in the power sector.
Insecurity was another concern addressed by Ajaero and Osifo, who called for community involvement in security initiatives and emphasized the importance of prioritizing citizens’ safety for national development.
The 18-point demand presented by labour includes calls for restraint in the use of violence against workers, reversal of electricity tariff hikes, expansion of workplace audits, and implementation of the October 2nd Agreement on CNG buses.
