NLC, TUC Give FG Deadline Before Fresh Nationwide Strike, Insist On N250,000

Organized Labour has firmly rejected any proposed minimum wage of ₦62,000 or ₦100,000, denouncing them as “starvation wages” for Nigerian workers.

Instead, they are demanding a minimum wage of ₦250,000, which was their latest proposal at the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage held on Friday.

Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), conveyed this stance on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” show.

Onyeka emphasized that the one-week ultimatum given to the Federal Government, starting from Tuesday, June 4, 2024, would end at midnight on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He warned that if the Federal Government and the National Assembly fail to act on the workers’ demands by the deadline, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) would convene to decide on resuming the nationwide industrial action that was temporarily suspended last week.

“Our position is very clear. We have never considered accepting ₦62,000 or any other wage that is insufficient to support Nigerian workers. We will not negotiate a starvation wage. We have never contemplated ₦100,000, let alone ₦62,000. We are firmly at ₦250,000, which we consider a sufficient concession to the government and other social partners. Our demands are based on the realities of the marketplace, considering the cost of essential goods like rice, yam, and garri,” Onyeka stated.

He further urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to act promptly, saying, “It is now up to the Federal Government and the National Assembly. Our demand is clear, and it is their responsibility to review it, send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and enact a National Minimum Wage Act that meets our demands.”

Onyeka reiterated that the ultimatum would expire on Tuesday, and if there is no tangible response from the government, the leadership of Organized Labour would decide the next steps. He clarified, “We have temporarily paused the nationwide indefinite strike. If our governing bodies decide to lift the pause, we will resume our previous actions.”