The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that due to the increasing cost of living, there may be room for negotiation on the new minimum wage, potentially reaching either N100,000 or even N200,000.
In response to the impending strike planned by both the union and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday, triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies, the decision to proceed with the strike was postponed.
This decision came after a late Monday meeting between union representatives and government authorities in Abuja.
NLC President Joe Ajaero explained that the postponement was intended to grant the government time to fulfill its commitments as per the previously established agreement with organized labor. Ajaero emphasized that the N35,000 wage award, which is part of the government’s proposal, does not qualify as the new minimum wage, which could potentially reach as high as N200,000.
“So, it is not a minimum wage but it is a wage added to the minimum wage. So, should we in March, April, or before that time negotiate the new wage to be N100,000 or N200,000, it would be inscribed as minimum wage law which should be the law in existence,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Maintaining that the N35,000 wage award is not an addition to the country’s minimum wage of N30,000, the NLC chief said many factors would be considered in arriving at a new minimum wage.
“Certain things would come into play when we discuss it – inflation, cost of living. Every other thing would come into it,” he added. “We would not go to ask for N65,000. We would go for a realistic amount because N65,000 is about $70 which is not up to minimum wage.”
According to him, for a new minimum wage to take effect, the National Assembly will play a crucial role.
“The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage,” Ajaero argued.