Abuja, Nigeria – Organised Labour in Nigeria is considering adjusting its demand for a new national minimum wage to ₦100,000 as the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage begins intensive daily meetings. This shift follows significant criticism and controversy over the initial proposal of ₦494,000, which was deemed unrealistic by many, including the Federal Government.
Labour’s Revised Stance
Multiple sources within the labour movement revealed that union leaders are willing to lower their demand from ₦494,000 to ₦100,000. The revised demand comes in response to feedback from various stakeholders and the broader public, who viewed the original figure as excessive given Nigeria’s current economic conditions.
Government’s Financial Concerns
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted that implementing the initial demand would result in an annual expenditure of ₦9.5 trillion, which he described as unsustainable for the nation’s finances. This financial strain necessitated a more balanced approach to determining the new minimum wage.
Suspension of Industrial Action
In a significant development, the organised labour temporarily suspended its nationwide strike for five days to facilitate fruitful negotiations with the Federal Government. This decision followed an emergency meeting where President Bola Tinubu committed to a minimum wage higher than ₦60,000. The tripartite committee is set to convene daily meetings to finalize the new wage.
President’s Directive
President Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to present the cost implications of the new minimum wage within two days. This directive underscores the urgency of resolving the impasse and ensuring that any proposed wage increase is financially viable.
Labour’s Position
A senior NLC official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the unions plan to negotiate for a ₦100,000 minimum wage. Similarly, the Deputy Head of NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, emphasized that the current negotiations aim to finalize an agenda for the week-long meetings, with labour poised to resume industrial action if necessary.
Government’s Commitment
Minister Idris assured that the government is committed to reaching a resolution that balances fiscal responsibility with the welfare of Nigerian workers. He noted that the President’s directive to involve both federal and state representatives, as well as the private sector, aims to achieve a sustainable and realistic minimum wage.
Legislative Support
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, called for a new minimum wage exceeding ₦100,000 to reflect the current economic realities. Other lawmakers, such as Oluwole Oke and Chinedu Obika, suggested figures ranging from ₦120,000 to ₦150,000, emphasizing the need for a living wage that addresses inflation and cost-of-living increases.
Economic and Social Implications
Economist and former CBN Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu noted that while the demand for ₦494,000 is unrealistic given Nigeria’s productivity levels, a range of ₦75,000 to ₦100,000 is more feasible. He stressed the importance of improving productivity and economic conditions to support higher wages in the future.
Conclusion
As the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage continues its meetings, the focus remains on balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to provide a fair and livable wage for Nigerian workers. The next few days will be crucial in determining a resolution that satisfies both the government’s financial constraints and the labour unions’ demands for improved worker welfare.