The Organised Labour comprising of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC),has given Federal Government of Nigeria till end of month of May to finalise the process of implementing the new national minimum wage for workers in the country
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero who gave the deadline on Wednesday in Abuja during the celebration of International Workers Day, explained that the process of fixing a new national minimum wage was still ongoing and had witnessed robust engagements.
All the parties in the tripartite process according to him, are well represented and the engagement has been robust.
”We have placed our demand of N615,000 only before our social partners while we await their offer"
The union stressed the need for conclusion of negotiation on the minimum wage, warning of impending strike if the issue was not resolved at the end of this month
“If, however, the negotiation of the minimum wage is not concluded by the end of May, the Trade Union movement in Nigeria will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the country,” he said.
According to Ajaero, labour has placed a demand that the new Act should have a two-year life span with an agreement for automatic adjustments in wages any time inflation exceeds 7.5 per cent.
The union strongly believed that every employer with up to five workers should be able to pay the new minimum wage, calling for the strengthening of the monitoring and compliance mechanisms in order to penalise non-complying state governments.
The NLC President insisted that the figures are based on objective realities around the nation and not based on some fantasy; but on what confronts the workers around the country.
“We want to be able to buy food stuff, housing, among others.
The union also called for the upward review of the retirement age in the entire public service from 60 to 65 years and 35 years to 40 years in service just as was done for teachers and judges.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has however assured organized labour that the implementation of the new minimum wage would begin as from 1st of May, 2024
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