The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has assured Nigerian workers that negotiations for a new minimum wage are ongoing, despite the current impasse. Festus Osifo, TUC President, addressed the annual convention of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Women Commission on July 9th in Abuja.
President Osifo clarified that both the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are actively engaged in discussions with the federal government to find a mutually agreeable minimum wage increase. Negotiations were previously suspended to allow President Bola Tinubu to consult with stakeholders before presenting a final proposal to the National Assembly.
The issue lies in the significant disparity between the government’s and labour’s proposed minimum wage. The federal government, along with the Organized Private Sector (OPS), has suggested N62,000, which falls far short of the N250,000 benchmark demanded by Organized Labour.
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President Osifo reassured workers that negotiations haven’t been abandoned; instead, both sides are working towards a refined solution. He acknowledged President Tinubu’s desire for further consultations before submitting a bill to the National Assembly. In the meantime, Organized Labour is actively engaging with various stakeholders to build consensus.
President Osifo’s statement highlights the unions’ primary concern: “What will be submitted to the National Assembly will actually be a minimum wage that will cater for the poorest of the poor…” This emphasizes their dedication to securing a living wage that meets the basic needs of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens. They remain steadfast in their pursuit of the N250,000 benchmark, which they believe represents a more realistic minimum wage in the current economic climate.
The national conversation regarding minimum wage extends beyond the current negotiations. A recent report highlighted the ongoing debate between state governors and Organized Labour concerning the N60,000 proposal. Legal practitioner Okanlawon Gaffar argued for a state-by-state approach, suggesting each state should determine its minimum wage based on its financial capacity and internal revenue generation. This perspective adds another layer of complexity to the national minimum wage discussions.