The Federal Government has proposed a new minimum wage of N54,000, a slight increase from its previous offer of N48,000, as negotiations with the Organised Labour resumed this week.
Gatekeepers News reports that the labour unions however rejected the proposal, deeming it insufficient compared to their demand of N615,000.
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, has been adjourned to Wednesday, May 22, to continue negotiations.
The Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had given the Federal Government an ultimatum to conclude negotiations by the end of May.
The labour unions have directed their members in states that are still owed the N30,000 minimum wage to prepare for industrial action. The Federal Government’s failure to present a nationally acceptable minimum wage by May 1 Labour Day has heightened tensions between labour and government.
NLC President Joe Ajaero has reiterated the demand for N615,000, citing the rising cost of living and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six. With the cost of living increasing following the removal of fuel subsidy, calls for a new minimum wage have intensified. Ajaero and labour leaders have given the Federal Government a deadline of May 31 to meet their demands.
