- Warns There Will Be No Guarantee Of Peace If There Is No New Minimum Wage By End Of May
- Tinubu Assures Workers Living Wage Will Be Announced Soon, Says Days Of Worrying Are Over
- Says Every Initiative Undertaken By His Administration Geared Towards Transforming Nigeria
The quest by Nigerian workers for a new Minimum Wage is assuming a worrisome development as Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government an ultimatum until May ending to finalise the process of implementing the new national minimum wage for workers.
Otherwise, the labour union threatened that they will not be able to guarantee industrial peace in the country.
The Matrix reports that the Federal Government had earlier approved an increase of between 25% and 35% in salary for civil servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures.
Barely 24 hours later, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero described the federal government’s announcement of a 35 percent pay rise for civil servants as mischievous.
Rather, the labour leader warned that if the negotiation is not concluded by the ending of May, there may not be industrial peace in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: NLC President Ajaero Bombs FG, Says 35% Pay Rise Is Mischievous, Demands N615k Living Wage
Ajaero said the process of fixing a new national minimum wage was still ongoing and had witnessed robust engagements while insisting on N615k as the new living wage.
“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 the government 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,” he said.
Ajaero 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 the union further demanded that every employer with up to five workers should pay the new minimum wage.
READ ALSO: Workers Day: NLC, TUC Bemoan Miserable Life Under Tinubu’s Government
Ajaero called for the strengthening of monitoring and compliance mechanisms in order to penalise non-complying state governments.
He said that Nigerian workers deserve to have a national minimum wage that approximated a living wage.
“Living wage is such that it will, at least, keep you alive. It is not a wage that will make you poor and poorer. It is not a wage that will make you borrow to go to work. It is not a wage that will lead you to be in the hospital every day because of malnutrition. For that living wage, we have tried to look at N615,000,” he added.
“Let me give you a breakdown of how we arrived at that figure. We have housing and accommodation of N40,000. We asked for electricity of N20,000 — of course that was before the current tariff increase. Nobody can spend this amount currently. We have a utility that is about N10,000. We looked at kerosene and gas that is about N25,000 to N35,000.
“We looked at food for a family of six, that is about N9,000 in a day. For 30 days, that is about N270,000. Look at medical, N50,000 provided there will be no surgery or whatever.
“For clothing, we looked at N20,000. For education, N50,000. I don’t know for those who tried to put their children in private school, they will not be able to cope with this amount. We also have sanitation of N10,000.
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“I think where we have another bulk of the money is transportation. This is because the workers stay in the fringes and because of the cost of PMS, that amounted to N110,000.
“That brought the whole living wage to N615,000 and I want anyone to subject this to further investigation and find out whether there will be any savings when you pay somebody on this rate.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he is open to the suggestion of a “living wage” for Nigerian workers.
In a message to mark International Workers’ Day celebration at the Eagle Square, Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, hailed Nigerian workers for their fidelity to the peace, progress, and development of the nation.
He also said the tripartite committee on a new minimum wage did not reach a consensus before May Day.
“You would recall that on January 30th, 2024, the Federal Government convened a 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage,” the president said.
“The committee’s mandate was to provide counsel and suggest a national minimum wage that aligns with our current economic conditions.
“Since then, the committee, in collaboration with labour leaders, has been diligently working towards proposing a new National Minimum Wage.
“Unfortunately, despite concerted efforts, the committee was unable to reach a consensus at its last meeting. This shall be resolved soon and I assure you that your days of worrying are over.”
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“Indeed, this government is open to the committee’s suggestion of not just a minimum wage but a living wage,” the president added.
The president also asked workers to trust his administration.
“Great Nigerian Workers, we cannot achieve a just and equitable society that caters to the needs of every member, including the strong and the weak, without fostering peace and unity,” he said.
“Our shared vision for national growth and development can only be realised in an atmosphere of industrial harmony and peaceful coexistence in every segment of our country.
“Dividends we have promised the nation, and which you work tirelessly to ensure, can only be achieved when we all unite for progress.
“On this momentous day, I urge you and all our fellow citizens to place your trust in this administration. The seeds of greatness planted in our nation are beginning to bear fruit, and they promise a future filled with hope and bound by prosperity.
“Let me assure you, with the utmost sincerity, that every initiative undertaken by this administration is geared towards transforming Nigeria into a nation that can truly provide for its people.
READ ALSO: Former NLC President, Ayuba Wabba Fires Back At Abure, Says Congress Owns Labour Party
“So, I call upon each and every one of you, as I have consistently done, to join hands in shaping the destiny of our nation towards greatness.
“Our allegiance and patriotism are the bedrock upon which our beloved country thrives. The success of our government’s policies and programmes hinges on the willingness of the workers, as the backbone of our workforce, to embrace them wholeheartedly.
“I appeal to you to continue using the power of the labour movement for the greater good of our nation, fostering harmony and cooperation.
“Once more, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on this successful Workers’ Day celebration, and I wish you all joyous festivities.”
