The Federal Government will resume negotiations on Tuesday with organized labour and other stakeholders regarding the proposed new national minimum wage of N48,000. Indications suggest that the government may consider revising the proposal upward.
Alhaji Bukar Goni, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, confirmed this in a letter dated May 16, 2024, inviting labour leaders to the meeting. This development follows a walkout by the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from the negotiation committee after the government's initial offer of N48,000.
The organized private sector had proposed a higher initial offer of N54,000. Following the breakdown of talks, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed anger over the government's offer, insisting on a minimum wage of N615,000 based on the current economic situation and the needs of an average Nigerian family.
Ajaero criticized the government and the organized private sector for the negotiation impasse, arguing that their actions demonstrated an unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. He emphasized that the government’s offer of N48,000 was significantly below what is necessary to meet the needs of Nigerian workers.
In response, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), urged union leaders to reconsider their position and return to the negotiation table for the sake of their members and national development.
Ajaero justified the union's walkout, stating that the government's proposal insulted the sensibilities of Nigerian workers and failed to meet their needs. He highlighted the disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards, noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000.
The NLC president also accused the government of lacking transparency and good faith in the negotiations by failing to provide data to support their offer. He called on the government to reconsider its position and negotiate a fair national minimum wage that reflects the contributions of Nigerian workers and the current socioeconomic realities.
In response to Ajaero’s appeal, the tripartite committee chairman invited labour leaders to resume negotiations, indicating that the government is willing to reconsider its offer. Goni emphasized the importance of concluding the negotiations swiftly to provide assurance to the workforce and meet the deadline for the committee's report submission.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had previously inaugurated the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage to recommend a new national minimum wage ahead of the expiration of the current N30,000 wage on April 18. The panel includes representatives from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labour.
During zonal public hearings, various figures were proposed as a living wage by NLC and TUC members across different states, reflecting the economic challenges and high living costs faced by workers. The NLC ultimately settled on N615,000 as a fair minimum wage.
The upcoming negotiations are crucial for arriving at a resolution and ensuring the emergence of a new minimum wage that adequately addresses the needs of Nigerian workers.
