The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC have upheld their demands for an N250,000 minimum wage and the N62,000 figure proposed by the tripartite committee, pending further discussions with President Bola Tinubu.
Following the meeting, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, expressed the union’s steadfast stance on their demand for a minimum wage of N250,000, while the tripartite committee had previously proposed a figure of N62,000.NLC President Joe Ajaero clarified that the meeting was not a negotiation, but rather a discussion, and the two figures of N250,000 and N62,000 remain on the table until further consultations. Ajaero stated, “In the real sense, it wasn’t a negotiation but a discussion and we have had that discussion.
We agreed to look at the real terms probably and reconvene in the next week. So, that’s where we are because we didn’t go down there to talk naira and kobo.”The TUC President, Festus Osifo, said the labor delegation informed the President about the economic difficulties Nigerians are facing, including the erosion of the value of the naira and the resulting increase in commodity prices. Osifo emphasized the need to address these challenges, stating, “We put everything forward and at the end, the President made his remark as the president and we all agreed let’s go back, we internalize it, we have some conversation, and by one week time, we will come back and we will continue the meeting.”Despite the ongoing discussions, the government and labor unions have not yet reached a consensus on the new minimum wage.
The tripartite committee had previously proposed N62,000, while the labor unions have maintained their demand for N250,000. The President has instructed the Minister of Finance to outline the financial implications of a new minimum wage, which will serve as a basis for further negotiations.
Both parties have expressed optimism that the impasse will be resolved within the next week, as they continue their discussions to find a mutually acceptable solution that addresses the economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers.