The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated it is not fixated on a specific figure as negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage proceed.
On Monday, Organized Labour initiated a strike over the new minimum wage and the recent electricity tariff increase for Band A customers. Following the strike, an agreement was reached with the government to set a minimum wage above N60,000.
The figure was revealed by the government after a meeting with the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Benson Upah, Head of the Department of Information NLC, mentioned on Arise TV that Organized Labour seeks a fair and reasonable wage that can support a family of six.
His words: “We are not fixated on any figure; our first offer was N615,000, but we climbed down, and we’re now on N494,000. Let me be emphatic; our fixation is with value. If today the government takes the needed decisions to create value around the naira, we’ll be ready to take a figure that is realistic.
“In 1981, the national minimum wage was N125, equivalent to $188. If the government takes the requisite decision to create value around the naira, we’ll be ready to take a figure that is fair and square.”
Speaking further, he stated that President Bola Tinubu, since assuming office, has made decisions that have affected the country’s economy.
“The first is the ill-advised removal of fuel subsidy rather than dealing with the criminal content of the subsidy. The president admitted to the presence and existence of a cabal, and rather than deal with that, he instead chose to deal with Nigerians,” he said.
“The second one is the mindless devaluation of the naira, which took it from N350 to N1900 and it’s now hovering around N1600; the third is the tariff hike; and the fourth is the 26.5 per cent interest rate. When you look at this, it becomes highly toxic for business.”
The NLC spokesperson responded to comments made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, stating that the union has no political sentiment.
He said, “As we speak now, we’re the only reliable voice that can speak to power at the risk of our lives. We’ve been consistent from pre-independence to the military and democratic eras. This is not the first time we’ve taken on a government. Right from 1999, the presidency of Obasanjo; then Yar’adua; and Jonathan, but Onanuga didn’t see political sentiment.
“I want to assure you that we’ve no political sentiment. Our sentiments in this matter are pure, patriotic, and in the interest of this country,” he added.
