The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reacted to President Bola Tinubu government’s proposed commencement of N30,000 minimum wage beginning from April 2024.
Speaking at the ongoing 19th edition of the NLC 2023 Harmattan School in Abuja on Tuesday, NLC president Joe Ajaero said the commencement of negotiation of the new national minimum wage in 2024 would be based on the prevailing cost of living in the country.
Ajaero, represented by NLC vice president, Benjamin Anthony, said it was necessary for government at all levels to recognise that life and living conditions are exceedingly difficult.
“The removal of subsidies on petroleum products has further worsened the challenges faced by working people,” he said.
“That is unleashing severe pain and contributing to galloping inflation and increasing inequality and poverty.
“We must reckon that a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce has a positive impact on productivity and national development.
“As we anticipate the commencement of negotiations for the National Minimum Wage in 2024.
“We seek the understanding of all stakeholders to ensure that we use this opportunity to arrive at a minimum wage commensurate with the prevailing cost of living,” he added.
Ajaero said that the ultimate goal, though, is to establish a living wage that covers the cost of living and make allowance for some savings by the workers.
He said that the recent assault on workers and their leaders in Imo poses a grave threat to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
“This is as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining.
“This should unequivocally be condemned by all people of goodwill. The only thing that can assuage our pains is for the Imo Government to address all labour issues.
“They are also to return the so-called ‘ghost workers’ to their jobs, pay all outstanding salaries and pensions and call back all victimised workers to their jobs,”he said.
The Harmattan School is part of the NLC National Schools where it trains and empowers members of its affiliated unions through skills development.
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This means that Tinubu does not even know the minimum wage of the country. Condemnable.
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İm small boy isforverty to cuking in the food
If Mr. President is smart enough to have removed the fuel subsidy on his first day in the office without negotiations, consultation or apology to anyone, he should have also be smart enough to have increase the workers salary and welfare since, without consulting. They claimed to have saved Nigeria through the policy but yet the money is not been injected back into the economy for the welfare of the citizens but for the welfare of individuals in government. Busy buying cars in billions for the politicians and sponsorship to abroad while others are struggling to survive with this bad and harsh economy. Why do NLC have to wait till 2024. There is always a provision for the supplementary budget but not for the welfare of nation.
Thank you for this contribution.
PJ, well spoken there.
Remain blessed.
It’s not clear. The minimum wage is N30,000 and it’s proposed again.