Minimum Wage Negotiations: Why Labour Cannot Embark on Strike Tuesday

 

The Organised Labour has announced there will be no strike on Tuesday over the ongoing minimum wage negotiations with the Federal Government. Previously, Labour had suspended its strike action for one week to engage in talks with the government to determine a new minimum wage. This suspension concludes today.

 

No Strike Decision Pending Presidential Action

At the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero confirmed there would be no strike on Tuesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Ajaero explained that Labour is awaiting a decision from President Bola Tinubu before taking further action.

Ajaero stated, "The tripartite committee submitted two figures to the President. Government and employers proposed N62,000, while Labour proposed N250,000. We are waiting for the President’s decision. Our National Executive Council (NEC) will deliberate on the new figure once it is announced."

 

Historical Context and Expectations 

Reflecting on past negotiations, Ajaero noted, "During the tenure of the immediate past President, the figure proposed to him was N27,000 by the tripartite committee. But he increased it to N30,000. We are hopeful that this President will do the right thing." He acknowledged the significant gap between the proposed N62,000 and N250,000, emphasizing the importance of the President’s decision in this matter.

 

Governors' Claims and Labour's Response 

Addressing claims by the 36 state governors that they cannot afford the proposed N60,000 minimum wage, Ajaero challenged their stance. He argued, "How can any governor say he cannot pay? They cannot also be calling for the decentralisation of the minimum wage. Are their wages decentralised?"

Ajaero criticized governors who do not contribute significantly to the national purse yet receive the same compensation as those from wealthier states. "Governors whose states are not contributing a dime to the national purse and who generate pitiable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are collecting the same amount as governors whose states are generating billions of dollars into the FAAC. They should decentralise their salaries and emoluments first."

 

Exemplary Leadership 

Ajaero highlighted the example of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is paying a minimum wage of N70,000. "This is the type of governor that should be emulated and not the lazy ones," he asserted.

For the latest updates on the minimum wage negotiations and Labour's stance, keep following our blog.