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Tag: NLC

  • Minimum wage: Strike not an option, N494,000 unrealistic – LP tells labour

    Minimum wage: Strike not an option, N494,000 unrealistic – LP tells labour

    The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has urged workers’ unions to re-negotiate with the government  on new minimum wage rather than embarking on industrial action.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Obiora Ifoh, made the plea in an interview with NAN on Monday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the strike declared nationwide strike by the organised labour over its demand for a new minimum wage .

    Ifoh said that strike was not an option because it would cause more hardship and sufferings.

    “Our immediate reaction is that the organised labour should not throw Nigerians into more hardship.

    “Nigerians are already grappling with a lot of challenges and we do not need to exacerbate the situation.

    “I think the demand for N494,000 minimum wage is unrealistic. It is really unrealistic.

    “It is a figure that cannot be sustained because it will imply that Nigeria will take all that money it has to pay the civil servants,” Ifoh said.

    Ifoh said that the labour union should continue to engage  the Federal Government on a figure that would be acceptable to both parties.

    “Negotiation should continue until they get something better.

    “Asking Nigerian workers to stay at home will affect everything ,including the cost of living and Nigerians cannot afford that now.

    “Negotiation is not a one-off thing.

    “If the Federal Government is not willing to go above N60,000 minimum wage , I think that the Organised Labour should work with what is available while it continues to negotiate.

    “We know this government has not gotten it right. It is still trying to test the waters,” the LP spokesman said.

    He said that the party would not want any action  that could further cause hardship.

    NAN reports that despite earlier pleas by the Federal Government for consideration, the organised labour on Monday commenced an indefinite strike  to push for a new national minimum wage for workers.

    The industrial action followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and  government’s  representatives .

    Representatives of labour had  on May 28 walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.

    Recall that the government and the Organised Private Sector  had initially proposed ₦48,000, then  ₦54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by  labour.

    The organised labour had also proposed  ₦615,000 as new minimum wage, but later came down to  ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000, to reflect the current rising cost of living.

  • Strike: Judiciary workers lock out judges, lawyers, others

    Strike: Judiciary workers lock out judges, lawyers, others

    Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Monday, locked out judges, lawyers, staff and litigants from accessing courts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in compliance with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s directive.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)’s check at the FCT High Court, Maitama; Federal High Court (FHC); Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, showed that court activities were totally paralysed as JUSUN members positioned themselves outside the heavily locked gates.

    At Federal High Court, Abuja

    Private security guards and few police officers were also sighted around the court gates as lawyers, litigants, visitors, including journalists, were not allowed entry into the courts’ premises.

    Comrade Samuel Ikpatt, Chairman of the FHC Chapter of JUSUN, in an interview said the union was in total compliance with the directive of the NLC that workers should down tool beginning from today.

    “We are the affiliate of NLC. So we are in total compliance with the strike action, including all our divisions,” he said.

    According to him, no court is sitting.

    When asked if lawyers are being allowed to gain access into the high-rise building, he said: “There is nobody inside the courts because we are in total compliance with the directive.”

    On when the gate would be opened, Ikpatt said: “Until when we get directive from our parent body, which is tye NLC.”

    Also speaking, Comrade Mohammed Danjuma-Yusuf, who is the Treasurer of JUSUN Chapter of Court of Appeal, said that they were complying with the NLC’s directive.

    “So Court of Appeal is in total shutdown; 100 per cent compliance. All the 20 branches of Court of Appeal is in total shutdown.

    “Nobody is allowed in, even judges,” he said.

    Danjuma-Yusuf said the gate would be opened when the union received a directive from the national headquarters of NLC.

    NLC and TUC had, on May 31, declared an indefinite strike, beginning from today, June 3.

    The organised labour decided to embark on industrial action after the negotiations between them and the government over the minimum wage of workers was deadlock

     

  • Strike: Workers in Delta comply with directive

    Strike: Workers in Delta comply with directive

    Civil servants  in Delta, on Monday, complied with the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to begin an indefinite strike.

    The labour unions had handed down the order over the Federal Government’s failure to approve and implement a new minimum wage for workers after the May 31 deadline.

    A correspondent, who monitored workers compliance at the federal and state secretariats in Asaba at 9.00 a.m., reports that most government offices were not opened.

    Also, the State House of Assembly and the State High Court complex were closed and officials of the labour unions were seen enforcing compliance with the directive.

    At the state secretariat, a security official, who did  not want his name published, said that the gates to the premises were locked by officials of the unions on Sunday night.

    He said that the labour enforcement team led by the TUC Chairman, Martin Bolum, returned this morning to check the situation at the secretariat.

    Also, students of public primary and secondary schools in the state, who had gone early to school, were seen returning home due to their teachers’ compliance with the strike.

    In a telephone interview, Bolum told NAN that the unions’ enforcement team had in the early hours of Monday picket some banks, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, schools and other establishments in the state capital to ensure total compliance.

    According to reports, police personnel were deployed in strategic locations in Asaba metropolis including the Federal Medical Centre to prevent breakdown of law and order.

  • BREAKING: Fresh details emerge on NASS meeting with labour unions

    BREAKING: Fresh details emerge on NASS meeting with labour unions

    The leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) and Organised Labour made up of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) held a crucial meeting on Sunday ostensibly to forestall the nationwide strike that commenced today.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, and other principal officers of both Chambers were present during the meeting.

    Others from the executive side are the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, Ministers of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Finance, Wale Edun and Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

    Also in the hall are budget and national planning minister, Atiku Bagudu, science and technology minister, Uche Nnaji, agriculture and food security minister, Aliyu Abdullahi, and Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan.

    Also present, representing Organised Labour, are the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC); Comrade Festus Osifo, and other Labour Leaders.

    The meeting which held late Sunday at the Senate, was at the instance of the National Assembly Leadership, as part of efforts to forestall the effects of a nationwide strike action at this time.

    At the meeting, stakeholders noting that the position of Organised Labour is valid given the general economic situation in the country, agreed on the need for on-going negotiation to continue, allowing for continuous engagement on the issue of wages.

    Organised Labour gave the National Assembly Leadership a period of eight (8) weeks to engage with stakeholders from the Executive. The Labour Leaders however, declined to call off the nationwide strike action in the immediate as they requested more time to consult their respective National Executive Councils (NEC), and organs, in adherence to the Constitution of their Unions.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, cautioned, “While addressing the legitimate concerns of Organised Labour is imperative, we must be mindful that an unsustainable wage increase could trigger inflationary pressures and potentially lead to layoffs. It is crucial that our approach balances the need for fair wages with the overall economic stability of the nation.”

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, remarked: “I am sure some would recall what I said during the Independence Anniversary lecture, that one thing that this government and this country can do to eliminate corruption in the long-run is to embrace a ‘living wage.’ There are no two ways about it. But we should also be mindful that the issues of numerous decades cannot be repaired within one day. It will be a gradual process.”

    Among other resolutions reached at the meeting; the Federal Government committed to the immediate implementation of all previous agreements with Labour as authorised by the President. These agreements include the recent Wage Award announced by President Bola Tinubu and the bonus implemented by Government as negotiated by the previous Administration (Amounting to N72,000).

    Government further committed to expediting the ongoing nationwide roll-out of conversion to LNG-operated vehicles and address all challenges relating to the supply chain to bring immediate succor on transportation to Nigerian workers.

    The leadership of the National Assembly was asked to engage and brief the President on the position of Labour and the need to consider a marginal increase in the interim, to accommodate the position of Labour.

    Organised Labour were also charged to deepen advocacy with State Governments and organised private sector to ensure viability and sustainability of the anticipated minimum wage increase.

    Strike: Senate urges FG to continue payment of N35,000 wage award

    Meanwhile, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to continue the payment of N35,000 wage award to workers, following the yet to be concluded negotiations on minimum wage.

    President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio said this at the end of a four hour closed door meeting with leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and some Ministers over planned industrial action by the union.

    Akpabio also appealed to the union to shelve the proposed strike action in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.

    “We have been making appeal and asked the NLC and TUC to shelve the proposed strike and return to the negotiating table to resolve the issue.

    “I appeal that the strike be suspended for negotiations to continue in the interest of Nigerians and the nation.”

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that government’s position on the wage award was that it should continue the payment until the negotiations for the minimum wage is concluded.

    “The position of Government is that the Federal Government will continue to pay its workers the wage award of N35,000 that was started in Oct 2023 until a new wage regime is instituted.”

    He said he was optimistic that labour would suspend the proposed strike, following the lengthy conversation with the leadership of the National Assembly, organised labour and the federal government delegation.

    He said that Nigeria could not afford strike at this moment given the challenges faced on the economy.

    Idris said all hands must be on deck to ensure prosperity of the nation as strike was not the best option at this point.

    “And we have pleaded with labour to see reasons with the Federal Government and everybody while the strike cannot continue in the interest of every body.”

    The minister said that government was sensitive to the demand of labour and called on the unions to see reasons to heed to the request of government.

    He said that Nigeria could not afford the payment of N9.5 trillion additional financial burden based on labours” demand of N494,000 demand made by labour as minimum wage for workers.

    However, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo said both parties were aware of what the issues were.

    He said the leadership of the union did do have power to call off the strike, saying that there were processes involved in suspension of an industrial action.

    “We have listened to them, we will take the request of the National Assembly leadership to our organs, because we don’t have power to call off strike.

    “The power to call off strikes lies with our organs, who would sit to decide.”

  • Strike: School owners urge labour, FG to forge common grounds

    Strike: School owners urge labour, FG to forge common grounds

    The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has urged Nigeria union bodies against strike action but resorts for peaceful resolution with the Federal Government.

    The National President of the Association, Mr Yomi Otubela made this plea in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

    Otubela said that the association identified with the struggles of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to improve the living conditions of workers in affiliated organisations.

    “It is important that we prioritise the well-being of our nation and work towards a peaceful resolution that benefits the workers, the economy, and the overall social fabric of Nigeria.

    “Rather than resorting to industrial action, we encourage both the federal government and the unions to further engage in constructive dialogue, negotiation, and mediation to find a mutually acceptable solution.

    “NAPPS is willing to offer its support and expertise in facilitating the negotiation process to ensure a fair and sustainable resolution for all parties involved,” he said.

    Otubela added that their members were enjoined not to participate in the indefinite strike by NLC/TUC commencing on June 3.

    “A strike action will disrupt the education sector, affecting both students and teachers.

    “Continued stability in the education system is crucial for the growth and development of our nation.

    “The ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will continue as scheduled by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

    “Students are advised to adhere to the original timetable and ensure timely attendance. Take note that other West African countries that are involved in WASSCE won’t wait for Nigerians,” he said.

    Otubela called on school owners and teachers to facilitate a conducive environment for students and staff during this period.

    “Communication channels should be opened and maintained to address any arising issues promptly. You can reach us for help through info@napps.com.ng,” he said.

    The NLC and TUC had declared a nationwide strike beginning from Monday, June 3, over the tripartite committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage and hike in electricity tariff.

    Strike: WAEC appeals to NLC, TUC to consider candidates

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appealed to the organised  labour to consider  students  sitting for  West African  Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, as it plans an indefinite strike.

    The Head of National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, who made the appeal in an interview on Sunday in Lagos, said that the council shared in the concerns of the organised labour and those of the entire Nigerian workers.

    According to him, most of WAEC’s employees in Nigeria are  members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) or Trade Union Congress (TUC), both of which called for the strike scheduled to start on Monday.

    “The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been drawn to a notice of the commencement  of an indefinite strike by NLC and TUC effective Monday, June 3.

    “WAEC shares in the concerns of the generality of Nigerian workers, as most of its employees in Nigeria consist of members of both unions.

    “It is also worthy of mention that the unions have always been partners with WAEC in the successful implementation of its mandate through the years.

    “On this premise, therefore, we wish to, however, gently remind the unions  of the ongoing conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)  for School Candidates, 2024.

    “The examination commenced in Nigeria and other member-countries of WAEC,  The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, on April 30, and is scheduled to end by June 24.

    “The  week, June 3 to June 7, is scheduled for the conduct of such papers as Physics, Economics, Government and Civic Education across the federation and some West African countries,” the WAEC boss said.

    According to him, any  disruption in the activities  and arrangements for the conduct of the examination will place candidates at a major disadvantage in their academic pursuits.

    “We hereby appeal to all stakeholders and the unions  to cooperate with the council, as always, to allow the continuous smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination as has been scheduled.

    “We remain committed to excellence and the service of the Nigerian people within the mandate of the council,” he said.

  • Strike: Stay at home – NLC tells Nigerian workers

    Strike: Stay at home – NLC tells Nigerian workers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised workers across the country to stay at home as organised labour begins an indefinite industrial strike action today.

    Efforts to call off the strike proved abortive after leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) tried to sway labour unions in a last minute meeting on Sunday.

    “We are on strike! Nigeria workers, stay at home. Yes to a living wage; no to a starvation wage,” NLC posted via X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: “victory comes by struggle, a living wage is possible”.

    In the emergency meeting with leadership of NASS, organised labour disclosed that the strike will continue until the organs of the various labour unions meet to deliberate on the various proposals presented.

    “There are conditions given to us by our NEC [National Executive Council]. We would have been much more happier if this [yesterday] evening we had a great understanding that by tomorrow morning [today] we sign off issues on the minimum wage.

    “As at the last meeting, we were very close to signing off on the minimum wage. Close in the sense that if the figures were right, it is to just prepare a report and sign. It is not something that is that lengthy anymore.

    “But we have listened to them. We will take their pleas to our organs and we will have an organs meeting, taking what they have promised and the pleas that they have made to our organs.

    “for now, we do not have the powers to call off the industrial action. So, the industrial action will continue while we will have a conversation with our respective organs as soon as possible,” Festus Osifo, President of TUC said.

  • NLC strike: Speaker Abbas reacts after truce talk with labour failed

    NLC strike: Speaker Abbas reacts after truce talk with labour failed

    Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has opened up following the meeting between leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) and the organised labour.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NASS leadership held a dying minute meeting with leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Sunday with the view to avert the industrial action, which commences today.

    “As part of our efforts to intervene between the Executive arm of the Federal Government and the organized labour, we, the leaders of the National Assembly, met with them today, especially in view of the planned nationwide industrial action by the latter.

    “We appealed to the organized labour to see reason with the government and shelve the planned industrial action.

    “I also reiterated my stand that the government could eradicate corruption in public offices by paying the workers a ‘living wage.’ But we must admit that the government cannot fix all the perennial issues concerning wages and salaries all at once.

    “We thanked the organised labour for accepting to attend the meeting, to assure Nigerians and the government that all hope is not lost,” Tajudeen wrote via his officially Facebook page shortly after the meeting.

    Meanwhile, in a statement jointly signed by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senate Spokesman and Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., House Spokesman, the NASS disclosed looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand.

    The statement reads: “The National Assembly acknowledges the announcement by Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide.

    “The decision followed the deadlock between the Federal Government and the Labour Unions in agreeing on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.

    “As a responsive parliament, the leadership of the National Assembly, comprising the President of the Senate, H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, is taking proactive steps to mediate and avert the impending industrial action, which would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy.

    “From information available to us, the National Assembly notes that both parties have tenable reasons for their respective positions.

    “In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity respectively, Senator Diket Plang, and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand.

    “The 10th National Assembly is committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented.

    “We further urge all stakeholders to remain patient and co-operative as we work diligently to find a mutually acceptable resolution in the best interest of the country”.

    Speaking with leadership of NASS, organised labour said: “We don’t have the right to call off the industrial action approved by our Organs . Thus, the action will continue while we will have a meeting with our organs to relate to them your proposals”.

  • BREAKING! Organised labour to go ahead with strike despite meeting with NASS leadership

    BREAKING! Organised labour to go ahead with strike despite meeting with NASS leadership

    Organised labour in Nigeria said on Sunday, they will push ahead with a planned indefinite strike over the new minimum wage, despite last-ditch efforts by the National Assembly leadership to avert the action.

    But the labour unions said they would meet to discuss the National Assembly leadership’s appeal to suspend the strike and allow for further dialogue.

    The strike is aimed at pressuring the government to implement a new minimum wage, which the unions say is long overdue. The labour unions and the government have been at loggerheads over the issue, with the unions accusing the government of foot-dragging on the matter.

    Details shortly…

  • LOOMING STRIKE: Unions give clear directives to workers to shut down Nigeria tomorrow (SEE letters)

    LOOMING STRIKE: Unions give clear directives to workers to shut down Nigeria tomorrow (SEE letters)

    …NUPENG, SSANU, Electricity workers, others indicate interest

    …send letters to all branches nationwide to ensure full compliance

    It’s crystal clear that organized labour in Nigeria must embark on a nationwide strike tomorrow (Monday) to force Federal Government to pay a living wage and dump electricity hike.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that various meetings carried out by the tripartite committee ended in a fiasco as the Federal Government refused to accept the proposed N419,000.00 minimum wage proposal by organised labour.

    To this end, electricity, oil and gas, maritime and all affiliates of labour umbrella bodies in Nigeria at the weekend issued directives to their workers to ensure compliance.

    MAN accepts N60,000.00 minimum wage:

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria at the weekend has accepted the Federal Government proposed N60,000.00 minimum wage which labour has outrightly rejected for obvious reasons as inflation is already making Nigerians to feed from the dustbin.

    Hear MAN’s DG:
    The Director-General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Ajayi Kadri, confirmed that the organised private sector accepted the Federal Government’s proposal for a new minimum wage of N60,000.

    “To start with, this is a very difficult time for anyone to negotiate minimum wage. From the perspective of government, labour and organized private sector, we operate in an environment where there is general acceptance of the fact that the macroeconomics are not right, even the global economy is experiencing a lot of shakeups and the aftermath of government necessary reforms.

    “From the beginning of the negotiations of the minimum wage, it’s evident to the tripartite— that is the government, labour, and organized private sector— that we are going to operate in a difficult terrain.

    “Incidentally, the organized private sector and government have offered N60,000 as the minimum wage and I think it is very important for us to understand that what we are talking about is the minimum wage. That is what some people have called the walk-in wage. That is the amount we will pay the least workers in the country. It is the minimum wage we are negotiating, not a living wage,” Ajayi said.

    Ajayi disclosed further that both the government and the private sector face significant constraints in fulfilling the proposed N419,000 living wage request.

    He mentioned that the private sector, for example, is dealing with economic challenges and inflation, making it impossible to pay such an amount.

    He also explained that this is not the most appropriate time for organized labor to negotiate a new minimum wage. Instead, they should collaborate with other stakeholders to strengthen the economy.

    “All of us in the tripartite— the government, the labour, and the private sector — we all knew that we were operating in a very difficult environment. The government itself realized that it had limited capacity to pay. The private sector is constrained by microeconomic, infrastructure and security challenges. So, we are also constrained to pay.

    “Labour on its part, is under intense pressure from its constituencies to ask for a higher wage because inflation has hit the roof and the operating environment is tough.

    “Throughout the negotiation process, we made it known that this is not the best time to negotiate minimum wage. This is the time for us to agree, the crew behind the government, and grow the economy in such that we will bake a bigger cake and then we’ll be able to share,” the director general added.

    He, however, appealed to the organised labour to reconsider its decision to embark on a nationwide strike.

    He noted that the labour walking out of discussions and declaring strike would not help matters.

    He added that it is unfortunate that labour rejected the N60,000 offer from the government and the organised private sector, choosing to declare a nationwide strike.

    “We cannot afford to cripple the economy when all we needed to do was continue to build it. I think President Tinubu was very clear when he emerged as president that these are not going to be easy times and I think we needed to tighten our belts to deliver on economy that we know has been seriously battered,” Ajayi-Kadir said on Channels Television’s Sunrise programme on Saturday.

    “Of course, the government on its own side has to demonstrate leadership, sensitivity and sense and sense of mind as well as the sense of occasion of the period that we are in. So, government expenditure, government choices of what needs to be done, how much to be spent, the cost of governance itself, all of it has to come to the table.

    “I think what labour is actually worried about is that they appear to be the ones on the brunt of it but we needed to be able to engage, walking out on the process and declaring strike, I do not think that that is what is going to solve this issue,” he added.

    On Friday, organised labour declared a nationwide indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

    They claimed that the strike followed the expiration of an earlier request to the Federal Government to conclude all negotiations for a new minimum wage before the end of May.

    SEE LETTERS BELOW:

  • NLC strike: Real reason FG can’t pay N494,000 minimum wage – Minister

    NLC strike: Real reason FG can’t pay N494,000 minimum wage – Minister

    …don’t go on strike, return to negotiation table – FG tells Labour

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the federal government cannot pay N494,000 as minimum wage demanded by organised labour for workers in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Idris to have said the N494,000 minimum wage demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) will amount to N9.5 trillion annually.

    This is contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.

    The Minister stressed that the sum of N494,000 national minimum wage being demanded by organised labour, which cumulatively amounts to the sum of N9.5 trillion bill, is capable of destabilising the economy and jeopardising the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.

    According to the statement, Idris stated this at a news conference in Abuja in response to the threat by the organised labour to embark on strike if their demands were not met.

    He said the offer of N60,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government, which translates to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage of 2019, has been accepted by the organized private sector, which is a member of the tripartite committee of the negotiations team.

    “The Federal Government’s New Minimum Wage proposal amounts to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage 2019. Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which would increase by 1,547% on the existing wage.

    “The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which Labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to the sum N9.5 trillion bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “Nigerians need to understand that whereas the FG is desirous of ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, what is most critical is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job loss, especially in the private sector, who may not be able to pay the wage demanded by the Organised Labour,” he said.

    The Minister said even though Labour is keen on the take-home pay of about 1.2 million workers, the Federal Government is concerned with the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians based on its Guiding Principle of Affordability, Sustainability, and the overall health of the nation’s economy.

    Idris appealed to the Organised Labour to return to the negotiating table and embrace reasonable and realistic wages for their members.

    He said because of the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the welfare of workers, the wage award of 35,000 for Federal workers would continue until a new national minimum wage is introduced.
    Rabiu Ibrahim.