Labour Union Insists on ₦250,000 Minimum Wage After Meeting with President Tinubu
Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, the Labour Union has firmly insisted on a ₦250,000 minimum wage, citing pressing economic challenges and the significant decline in the value of the naira.
The Labour Union, On Thursday, met with President Tinubu to discuss the national minimum wage for Nigerian workers. While the Labour Congress initially demanded a ₦250,000 wage, the government proposed a ₦62,000 wage.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), described the session as a discussion rather than a negotiation, reiterating the union’s demand for ₦250,000 as workers’ wages.
“In real terms, it wasn’t a negotiation. It was a discussion, and we have had the discussion. We agreed to look at the real terms. The status quo in terms of the amounts, ₦250,000 and ₦62,000, remains until we finish the conversation,” Ajaero stated.
Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), emphasized the current economic realities and the devaluation of the naira as the basis for their demand.
“We tried to put issues on the table—issues that are bothering and biting Nigerians today. The economic difficulties, the value of the naira, how it has eroded,” Osifo explained.
Osifo added that both parties agreed to reconvene after further internal consultations. “We all agreed to go back, internalize it, have some conversations, and in one week’s time, we will come back and continue the meeting.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, reiterated the government’s commitment to a sustainable wage for workers.
“The labour union has asked that the government allow them at least one week to consult further. We have allowed them, and we will reconvene in the next week,” Idris said.
Idris expressed optimism about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. “We hope and believe that at the end of the day, we will have something good for all Nigerians. The president has always said that this is our country, and the labour unions are Nigerians. We are all Nigerians. We need to work together to find something that works for all of us.”
