It would seem Labour struggles are far from over as the organized labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), walked out of the minimum wage committee meeting with the Federal Government on Wednesday, rejecting the government’s offer of N45,000 as the new minimum wage.
The labour unions had demanded a new minimum wage of N615,000 and given the government until May 31 to conclude negotiations. However, the government’s offer fell far short of their expectations, leading to the stormy exit.
Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, a representative of the NLC, expressed the union’s frustration, saying, “We asked whether the N45,000 was for transport, food, clothing, housing, or what. So, we just told them that since they are not serious, we better just leave, so we stormed out of the place.”
The government’s offer was presented by the Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Office, but was deemed unacceptable by the labour unions.
The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage had resumed negotiations on Wednesday, but the meeting ended abruptly with the labour unions’ walkout.
The unions have recently shown determination to fight for a living wage that reflects the harsh economic realities faced by Nigerian workers.
