Labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have walked out of the national minimum wage talks after the Federal Government proposed N48,000 per month. The unions described the offer as a salary reduction and inadequate to meet the needs of workers.
The government's proposal was presented at a virtual meeting of the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage. Labour insisted that the proposed sum does not even match the N77,000 currently earned by federal-level workers, which includes the mandated N30,000 minimum wage, N12,000 peculiar allowance, and N35,000 wage award.
The deadlock was declared by the labour centres in protest, highlighting the disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards. They expressed disappointment with the government's unwillingness to negotiate a fair wage, citing the private sector's minimum payment of N78,000 as an example.
In a joint statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC Deputy President Tommy Okon condemned the government's proposal as insulting to workers' dignity. They emphasized the need for a wage that reflects the true value of workers' contributions to the nation's development and called for a minimum wage of N615,000.
The unions have walked out of the negotiation process but remain open to dialogue if there is a serious commitment from the government to find a fair and sustainable resolution.
