Nigeria’s planned increase in the minimum wage hit a roadblock on Wednesday as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, walked out of negotiations with the federal government.
The NLC rejected the government’s proposed N48,000 minimum wage, calling it “an insult to Nigerian workers.”
The NLC, alongside its counterpart the Trade Union Congress, TUC, had proposed a significantly higher minimum wage of N615,500, citing the rising cost of living. However, the government’s offer fell far short of their expectations and sparked outrage among the union leaders.
“The government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 does not only insult the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting their needs and aspirations,” said NLC President Joe Ajaero.
He further criticised the government for failing to provide data to support their proposed wage.
The NLC also pointed out that the private sector, represented by the Organised Private Sector (OPS), offered a higher minimum wage of N54,000 during the negotiations. This discrepancy further fueled the union’s argument that the government was not serious about improving worker welfare.
The deadlock in negotiations leaves Nigerian workers in limbo. The current minimum wage of N30,000 has been in place since 2019, but inflation has eroded its purchasing power significantly. With rising costs of food, transportation, and housing, many workers struggle to make ends meet.
The NLC has given the government until the end of the month to arrive at a more acceptable decision. They have threatened an industrial action if their demands are not met.
The government has yet to respond to the NLC’s walkout, but it faces pressure to find a solution that balances the needs of workers with the fiscal constraints of the country. Whether a compromise can be reached in the coming days remains to be seen.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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