The organised labour has rejected the N57,000 minimum wage offer presented by the federal government.
News About Nigeria reports that the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage has adjourned its meeting till next Tuesday, May 28, after Wednesday’s deliberations ended in a stalemate.
The Federal Government, the organised private sector, and the organised labour failed to reach a consensus on the new minimum wage.
According to sources at the meeting, the government initially insisted on its proposed N54,000, citing a lack of funds. However, after a 30-minute break, the government and the organised private sector proposed N57,000 as the minimum wage. This proposal was rejected by labour, which stuck to its demand of N497,000.
Labour leaders expressed frustration with the government’s stance, saying it needs to be more serious about the negotiations.
“We reject the proposed N57,000, and the meeting has been adjourned till next Tuesday. Governors Obaseki and Uzodinma were present, while Governor Soludo joined us via Zoom,” said a labour leader.
A senior official of the Nigeria Labour Congress also expressed disappointment, saying, “The outcome of the negotiation is not encouraging. The Federal Government increased its offer from N54,000 to N57,000, while labour moved from N615,000 to N500,000 and then to N497,000.”
The Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage was inaugurated by President Tinubu on January 30, 2024, to recommend a new national minimum wage ahead of the expiration of the current N30,000 wage on April 18.
The committee comprises 37 members from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organised labour.
During the inauguration, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the members to “speedily” arrive at a resolution and submit their reports early.
The committee has held zonal public hearings across the country, with various states proposing different figures as a living wage, ranging from N447,000 to N850,000.
