It seems the organized labour unions are keeping their options open. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t fixated on any specific figure.
Last week, the tripartite committee on minimum wage wrapped up its deliberations, presenting two potential figures to President Bola Tinubu for consideration. The government and the organized private sector have proposed ₦62,000, while organized labour is pushing for a whopping ₦250,000.
What They Are Saying
Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), appeared on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” to discuss the matter. He emphasized that no figure is set in stone and adjustments can always be made.
“What we said is that for us when we give figures, there is always a room to meander, there is always a room for us to do some adjustment here and there,” Osifo explained.
He noted that one of the reasons for previous industrial actions was the government’s inflexibility. When negotiations reached ₦60,000, the government insisted that not even a kobo could be added.
Why It Matters
President Tinubu is expected to send an executive bill to the National Assembly for legislative action soon. However, Osifo assured that organized labour will continue to advocate for their proposed figure, engaging with lawmakers if the president’s proposal doesn’t meet their expectations.
Osifo is adamant that labour’s work won’t end until the Minimum Wage Act 2024 is enacted. Predicting labour’s reaction if the final wage isn’t satisfactory remains premature, he added.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has made it clear that any new minimum wage must be within the government’s financial means. During a dinner celebrating Nigeria’s 25 years of continuous democracy, he remarked, “The minimum wage is going to be what Nigerians can afford, what you can afford and what I can afford. Cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all.”
Adding to the debate, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo expressed concern over the sustainability of the proposed wages. Speaking at The Platform Nigeria event, Soludo warned that many state governments and private sectors might struggle to meet the ₦62,000 proposed by the Federal Government, let alone the ₦250,000 demanded by organized labour.
“I pity the President because it will all be on his head if the consequences come down, whatever it is, if whatever is negotiated is unsustainable or payable or whatever. Months to come, who will bear the responsibility? Not me,” Soludo remarked, highlighting the potential fallout from an unsustainable wage agreement.
Bottom Line
The tripartite committee’s discussions have dragged on for months, culminating in the two proposals submitted last week. Labour reduced its initial demand from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000, while the government slightly increased its offer from ₦60,000 to ₦62,000. Now, all eyes are on President Tinubu as he prepares to make a decision and draft an executive bill for the National Assembly to consider. The future of Nigeria’s minimum wage hangs in the balance, with significant implications for workers and the economy alike.
