Organised Labour staged a walkout from the minimum wage negotiation table after rejecting the government and Organised Private Sector’s (OPS) proposals of N48,000 and N54,000, respectively, as new minimum wage figures.
Under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Labour described the government’s offer as insulting to Nigerian workers and falling short of their needs and aspirations. The rejection came during a joint briefing at Labour House by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC Deputy President Dr Tommy Okon.
Labour argued that the government’s proposal amounted to a reduction in income for federal-level workers, who already receive N30,000 as mandated by law, augmented by former President Muhammad Buhari’s 40 per cent peculiar allowance of N12,000 and the N35,000 wage award, totaling N77,000.
Ajaero and Okon lamented the lack of transparency and good faith in the negotiation process, citing the government’s failure to provide substantiated data to support its offer. They expressed disappointment over the breakdown in negotiations due to the perceived lack of seriousness from the government and the OPS.
The Labour leaders stressed that accepting such a regressive proposal would undermine the economic well-being of workers and their families. Consequently, they decided to walk out of the negotiation process to prevent the negotiation of a wage deduction.
In response to questions, Ajaero criticized the absence of key government officials during the meeting, highlighting the need for genuine dialogue and transparency in the negotiation process.
Meanwhile, the OPS pleaded with Organised Labour to return to the negotiation table, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue for national development.
