The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly stated that the proposed N54,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government would not suffice for any family’s sustenance.
NLC president, Joe Ajaero, emphasized this standpoint during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
He remarked, “You can see that ₦54,000 is still not sufficient compared to what you need to sustain a family.
“Organized Labour rejected the new proposal, considering it significantly lower than the ₦615,000 proposed by both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).”
During the reconvened meeting this week, the Federal Government tabled a fresh proposal to pay N54,000, an increase from the initial N48,000 proposed in the previous session.
However, Organised Labour turned down the revised proposal, viewing it as considerably below the N615,000 benchmark proposed by both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, was adjourned to Wednesday, May 22, to continue negotiations.
Organised Labour, comprising the NLC and the TUC, had given the Federal Government until the end of May to conclude negotiations for a new minimum wage.
Additionally, the unions directed their members in states that have yet to implement the N30,000 minimum wage to prepare for industrial action.