The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has tabled seven demands to the Federal Government ahead of Workers’ Day on May 1, 2024.
The most pressing demand is for a new minimum wage, which is expected to be announced by President Bola Tinubu during the celebrations, News About Nigeria reports.
The NLC is also calling for the establishment of state and local government police forces to tackle the nation’s security challenges.
Additionally, they want the new minimum wage to be implemented uniformly across all states, local governments, and the private sector to ensure fairness and reduce economic disparities.
Organised labour had agreed on a new minimum wage of N615,000 per month, which was determined before the recent increase in electricity tariff.
However, a member of the Trade Union Congress’s National Executive Council leader said there will be another round of talks with the government.
The source said, “We are going to have another round of serious conversations with the government. Mind you, the tariff increase is also very good for us, because they (the government) did it when the new minimum wage process had not been concluded. So, it is going to be a good ground for us to ask for more money.”
The current minimum wage of N30,000 expired on April 18, after a five-year lifespan. Former President Muhammad Buhari signed the N30,000 Minimum Wage Act into law on April 18, 2019.
A new tripartite committee, comprising representatives from the government, private sector, and labour, has been set up to recommend a new national minimum wage.
The 37-member panel, chaired by former Head of the Civil Service, Bukar Aji, aims to come up with a “fair, practical, implementable, and sustainable” minimum wage. The panel was set up in January and has been urged to arrive at a resolution quickly.
The panel includes members from the government, such as Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. Representatives from the Nigeria Governors Forum, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, and Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture are also part of the panel.
Organised labour is represented by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and TUC President, Festus Osifo, among others.
