Minimum Wage Negotiation Stalls Again

The negotiations over Nigeria’s national minimum wage have reached another impasse. After two days of talks, the Federal Government increased its offer by N2,000, bringing it to N62,000, while the Organized Labour reduced its demand from N494,000 to N250,000.

State governors, however, declared that even the proposed N60,000 minimum wage, which the Federal Government later increased, was unaffordable. The Organized Private Sector has backed the government’s offer.

The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage (NNMW) has adjourned, with a source indicating, “There was disagreement on the amount. The government offered N62,000, but Labour is now demanding N250,000. The report will be communicated to the President for further deliberation.”

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) had earlier stated they could not pay the N60,000 minimum wage proposed by the Federal Government, arguing that such a move would force states to borrow to pay salaries and leave no funds for development.

In a statement, NGF acting Director of Media and Public Affairs, Hajiya Halimah Salihu Ahmed, said, “The NGF agrees that a new minimum wage is due and sympathizes with labour unions. However, the N60,000 minimum wage proposal is not sustainable. Many states would end up borrowing to pay workers, leaving no funds for development.”

Labour unions, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had suspended their strike earlier this week after the Federal Government expressed its commitment to a minimum wage higher than N60,000. The Tripartite Committee is expected to meet daily for the next week to finalize the negotiations.

Labour Condemns SGF’s Statement on Strike

The NLC has condemned statements by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who referred to the labour strike as a “treasonable felony.” The NLC argued that the SGF’s comments undermine democratic principles and legitimate labour grievances.

The NLC stated, “The SGF’s characterization of our industrial action as ‘treasonable felony’ and ‘economic sabotage’ is troubling and undermines constructive dialogue. The demands for a new minimum wage and reversal of the electricity tariff hike are just and necessary.”

The NLC also criticized the SGF for trivializing workers’ grievances, pointing out the high cost of living and the disconnect between government officials and ordinary Nigerians.

The NLC called for the SGF to retract his statements and for the government to engage in good faith negotiations, free from threats and intimidation. They emphasized their commitment to advocating for Nigerian workers’ rights and welfare through all legitimate means.