Fatshimetrie: Unions in Boil for Minimum Wage
In an unprecedented scene, the unions have decided to form a united front by leaving the ongoing negotiations on the minimum wage with the government and the organized private sector.
It was after a meeting held on Wednesday May 15, 2024 that labor representatives expressed their position in a joint press release. Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC, highlighted the government’s lack of seriousness in discussions regarding the new minimum wage.
According to Ajaero, the federal government does not have the necessary data to negotiate with workers. He said the government has until the end of the month to make a decision, warning of the consequences if the deadline is not met.
Tommy Okon, vice-president of the TUC, represented the union at the meeting. He said: “The government’s proposal of a meager minimum wage of 48,000 Naira is not only an insult to Nigerian workers, but it also falls far short of meeting our needs and aspirations.”
He also pointed out that the organized private sector proposed an initial minimum wage of N54,000, noting that in reality, even the lowest paid workers in the private sector earn N78,000 per month. This disparity between the proposed and existing standards highlights the lack of willingness of employers and government to fairly negotiate a national minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.
Unions insist the government has not provided any substantiated data to justify its offer, making the situation worse. This lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process and erodes trust between the parties involved.
As representatives of Nigerian workers, the unions say they cannot, in good conscience, accept a salary proposal which would result in a reduction in the income of federal workers who already receive 30,000 Naira per month, increased by a special allowance of 40% from Buhari (12,000 Naira) and the reward of 35,000 Naira, which totals 77,000 Naira.
The unions’ decision to withdraw from negotiations sends a strong message to the government and employers, showing their determination to achieve a dignified and fair minimum wage for Nigerian workers. With pressure mounting, there is hope that talks will resume soon to reach a resolution satisfactory to all parties concerned.