Labour Unions Demand N615,000 Minimum Wage, Threaten Showdown if Deadline is Missed

NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo emphasized that the current economic realities necessitate a significant wage increase. They urged the government to conclude negotiations by the end of May, warning that failure to do so would lead to industrial action.

On Workers' Day, the organised labour movement in Nigeria, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), made a bold demand to the federal government: increase the minimum wage to N615,000 or face a showdown. This ultimatum comes as the country grapples with rising prices of essential goods and services.

NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo emphasized that the current economic realities necessitate a significant wage increase. They urged the government to conclude negotiations by the end of May, warning that failure to do so would lead to industrial action.

Ajaero stressed that the proposed wage is based on objective realities, not fantasy, and is essential for workers to afford basic needs like food, housing, and transportation. He also called for a review of the retirement age and an automatic adjustment mechanism to ensure wages keep pace with inflation.

Furthermore, the labour leaders criticized the recent electricity tariff hike, demanding a reversal within one week. They argued that the power sector's mismanagement has led to epileptic power supply, harming the economy.

In response, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, assured workers that the government is considering a "living wage" and is committed to tackling security challenges and promoting industrial harmony. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing a new national minimum wage by May 1, 2024.

The labour movement's demands and the government's response set the stage for a critical negotiation period. Will the government meet the deadline and agree to a living wage, or will the threatened showdown become a reality? The fate of Nigeria's workers and economy hangs in the balance.

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