A meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of organized labour including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress ended in a futility after union members rejected the proposed N48,000 minimum wage for public service workers.
The government’s position was presented during a virtual tripartite committee meeting on Wednesday.
In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria walked out of the meeting in protest, having previously proposed a minimum wage of N615,000.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association presented a proposal of N54,000, according to TheWill.
The tripartite committee, comprising 37 members from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labour, was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on January 30 to recommend a new national minimum wage.
However, labour leaders have expressed disappointment with the government’s proposal, describing it as a “wage reduction” and questioning the government’s commitment to providing a living wage for workers.
Despite President Tinubu’s promise on May Day to provide workers with a living wage, the stalemate raises concerns about the government’s willingness to address the issue.
Labour leaders argue that the proposed minimum wage is inadequate and fails to meet the needs of workers.
A labour leader who was part of Wednesday’s meeting, said the federal government was not serious about giving workers a living wage.
“What the government has presented to us is wage reduction. The labour leader said that this government is not serious about giving workers a living wage.”
