Workers’ Day: Labour Demands N615,000 Minimum Wage, Gives Deadline
The organised labour yesterday urged the federal government to increase the minimum wage to N615, 000, stating May 31 as the deadline to meet demand.
It handed FG May 31 deadline to come up with a realistic and reasonable new minimum wage for Nigerian workers
It said this was in line with current economic realities in the country, including the steep rise in prices of essential goods such as food, transportation, and electricity.
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, made this demand at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the venue of the Workers’ Day celebration.
They asked the government to conclude the process of implementing the new national minimum wage for workers by the end of May.
They warned that failure to do this would lead to a showdown.
The NLC had Tuesday night described the 25 and 35 per cent salary increment for different categories of public servants as “a waste of time.”
In his speech yesterday, Comrade Ajaero said: “At this point, comrades, we want to inform you that the process of fixing a new national minimum wage is continuing.
“All parties in the tripartite process are well represented and the engagement has been robust. We have placed our demand of N615,000 only before our social partners while we await their offer.
“If, however, the negotiation of the minimum wage is not concluded by the end of May, the trade union movement in Nigeria will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the country,” Ajaero said.
He also said labour had placed a demand that the new Act would have a two-year life span with an agreement for automatic adjustments in wages any time inflation exceeded 7.5 per cent.
He said Nigerian workers deserved to have a national minimum wage that approximated a living wage.
“Our figures are based on objective realities around the nation and not based on some fantasy; but on what confronts us as workers around the nation.
“We want to be able to buy food stuff, housing, among others.
“Any wage that is below this living wage condemns workers to starvation,” he said.
Ajaero reiterated that the process of fixing a new national minimum wage was still ongoing and had witnessed robust engagements.
He urged workers to remain vigilant as the negotiations were nearing conclusion.
”We must not let our guards down but be alert so that together, we can assist the government in making the right decision and pay workers a living wage as promised by Mr. President.
“We will not allow our interest to sabotage the desire of the president concerning a living wage for workers,” he said.
Ajaero called on the government to review the retirement age of workers in the federal and state civil service from 60 to 65 years; and 35 years to 40 years in service just as was done for teachers and judges.
On deadline, Ajaero said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC have made it clearly and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country.”
