The Organised Private Sector, OPS, has pleaded with Organised Labour to return to the negotiation table after the workers leaders walked out on government representatives during a tripartite meeting on minimum wage.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress rejected the government and the Organized Private Sector, OPS, new minimum wage proposals of N48,000 and N54, 000 respectively.
According to organised labour, what the government offered is a reduction in income for federal-level workers who are already receiving N30,000 as mandated by law, augmented by former President Muhammad Buhari’s 40 per cent peculiar allowance of N12,000 and the N35,000 wage award, totalling N77,000.
At a joint briefing in Labour House by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero and the Deputy President of TUC, Dr Tommy Okon, Labour lamented that the government’s failure to provide any substantiated data to support its offer exacerbated the situation.
The OPS said the action of labour to walk out, even when negotiations had not started, though within its rights to do so, was unfortunate.
Speaking on behalf of the OPS, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said: “The action of labour to walk out before negotiation started is unfortunate.
‘’As it is seen globally, a major feature of all negotiations is for all parties to present their opening positions, which was done by all social partners. The expected follow-up action is the actual negotiation, with attendant counter-negotiations, alignment and realignment of positions, among others. The action of labour to walk out has the potential to delay the assignment of the minimum wage committee”
“We urge Organized Labour to reconsider its position and return to the negotiation table in the interest of its members and national development. The Organized Private Sector remains committed to the review of the current national minimum wage to a new one that is fair, sustainable and which takes due cognizance of our current economic situation.”
In the meantime, the secretary/ member of the Tripartite Committee NNMW, Ekpo Nta, has said the meeting will continue today, claiming it was adjourned yesterday.
A letter signed by the Director, Compensation, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, Chiadi Adighiogu, on behalf of Mr Nta, read: “I am directed to inform you that the members of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, after day-long deliberations at its 4th meeting today (yesterday), May 15, 2024, adjourned the meeting to resume tomorrow (today), May 16, 2024, at 11 am at the same venue.”
At the time of this report, all efforts to confirm with Labour leaders if they would attend the meeting proved abortive.
