The organised labour movement has declared it will reject any marginal increase to the ₦60,000 minimum wage proposed by the tripartite committee.
This stance was articulated by Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.
Iwitnesslive had earlier reported that the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) suspended their industrial action, which commenced on Monday, after reaching a preliminary agreement with the Federal Government.
The government assured that President Bola Tinubu is committed to a minimum wage exceeding the initial ₦60,000 offer.
When questioned about the acceptance of a minor increment to the current offer, Osifo firmly responded, “No, we have made it clear that small additions of ₦1,000, ₦2,000, or ₦3,000 are unacceptable. We have received some assurances that a more substantial and meaningful increase will be proposed.”
Osifo emphasized that while the labour unions are not strictly demanding ₦494,000 as the new minimum wage, the tripartite committee must present an offer that aligns with the current economic realities and inflationary pressures. The proposed wage should be equivalent in purchasing power to the ₦30,000 minimum wage set in 2019 and the ₦18,000 wage established in 2014, he added.
Though he refrained from specifying an exact figure, Osifo reiterated the need for a minimum wage that truly reflects the cost of living adjustments over the years.
