The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reiterated that it is not fixated on a specific figure for the new national minimum wage, but rather seeks a fair and reasonable amount that can sustain a family of six.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the organised labour on Tuesday called off its industrial action.
This comes as negotiations with the Federal Government continue, following the strike action declared by Organised Labour on Monday over a new minimum wage and electricity tariff hike.
Recall that on Monday, the federal government and organised labour reached an agreement on a new minimum wage that will be “above N60,000.”
Making clarifications on Tuesday, Benson Upah, Head of Information at NLC, said the union’s initial proposal was N615,000, which was later reduced to N494,000.
He added, “Let me be emphatic; our fixation is with value. If today the government takes the needed decisions to create value around the naira, we’ll be ready to take a figure that is realistic.
“In 1981, the national minimum wage was N125, equivalent to $188. If the government takes the requisite decision to create value around the naira, we’ll be ready to take a figure that is fair and square.”
Upah in the interview with TVC criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidy, devaluation of the naira, tariff hike, and high interest rate, which he described as “toxic for business.”
He dismissed claims of political sentiment, stating that the NLC has consistently spoken truth to power since pre-independence, and their stance is purely patriotic.
