Labour Criticizes Tinubu’s Approval of Minimum Wage, Says Government Is Not Serious Yet

The nation is eagerly awaiting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s decision on the new national minimum wage in Nigeria.

The Tripartite Committee has recommended a minimum wage of ₦62,000, but labor leaders are pushing for ₦250,000, leading to a potential standoff.

The government’s proposal falls short of labor unions’ expectations, raising concerns about possible industrial unrest. Despite the committee’s conclusion, the divide between government and worker demands remains significant.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has criticized the government for not taking workers’ grievances seriously, citing the inadequacy of ₦62,000 to sustain a decent standard of living given the rising cost of living.

“No, not all. Far too low below the threshold. No deal. Govt is not serious yet.”

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) strongly supports the N250,000 minimum wage, stating its importance in addressing current socio-economic challenges.

Mr. Tommy Okon, TUC’s first deputy president, reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering support for this wage increase. He noted how it aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring workers receive a living wage post fuel subsidy removal.

Okon justified the proposed amount by pointing out factors like housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and tariffs, all included in the cost of living index.

He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s understanding of workers’ difficulties and urged him to seriously consider their proposal given the prevailing circumstances.

The labour leader said: “You are aware that our position is very clear on the minimum of N250,000. If we had done otherwise, you would have seen. So, we have taken our position to Mr. President, through the committee.

“So, let Mr. President decide. That is our position. We stand by ₦250,000 national minimum wage.

“Like I said, it is now at Mr. President’s prerogative, because what we have done is to help the government and also to help the President work this stuff. Remember, when Mr. President said fuel subsidy was gone, he said he was going to pay workers a living wage. So, we have been able to put out a variable facts that can technically prove that ₦250,000 could be manageable as a living wage. This is because when you look at the value of ₦62,000, and the present socioeconomic challenges, it cannot amount to what Mr. President referred to in his inaugural speech as a living wage.

“So, we are helping the government to work, because what the government has offered so far cannot be justifiable going by the present cost of living. The reason is that there is no variable fact to speak on it. Is it for housing? Is it for transportation? Is it for medical? Is it for education? Is it for tariff? These are indices that we have come to look at through the cost of living index that ₦250,000 is justifiable.

“So, that is what we are doing. And we believe that Mr. President is very sensitive, and that he would look at it as a democrat and see that, yes, what the workers have put forward is also considerable in line with the present reality. So, that is our position and we believe that Mr. President, who came on to announce the removal of fuel subsidy without consulting us, will also find a way to see that he appeases us, because when that was done, we never went on strike. So, in this case, Mr. President will also consider that they need to give us a wage of ₦250,000.”