Minimum Wage: N250, 000 Or Nothing –NLC, TUC

The Organised Labour unions in the country, have restated their position for a minimum wage demand for Nigerians of N250, 000 or nothing .

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) restated this position after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja today, at which both parties could not reach a compromise.

This is because why the unions demanded N250, 000, the federal government proposed N62,000, and the meeting which lasted for about an hour at the Presidential Villa, had to be adjourned to next week

The apex labour unions were represented by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero and that of the TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo.

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This is coming amidst general hardship in the country, occasioned by high consumer prices, which has seen Nigerians across board groaning and cursing.

The Eagle reports that as against the N250, 000 demand by labour, the government is proposing to pay N62, 000 as minimum wage, and many have described this as a far cry given current realities.

Ajaero told waiting journalists that what happened was actually a discussion rather than a negotiation, adding:  “In real sense, it wasn’t a negotiation but a discussion and we have had that discussion. We agreed to look at the real terms probably and reconvene in the next one week.

“So that’s where we are because we didn’t go down there to talk naira and kobo. At least there were some basic issues that we agreed on.”

“I remember mentioning that we didn’t go into naria and kobo discussion. Now the status quo in terms of the amount N250,000 and N62,000 remains until we finish this conversation.”

On the other hand, Comrade Osifo stated “In the meeting we tried to put the issues on the table. Issues that are bordering and biting Nigerians today, the economic difficulties and the value of naira, how it has also eroded, how these have affected the prices of commodities and goods in the market.

“We have had all the conversations with all his agents, but today (Thursday) we said let us meet with the father of the country and have this conversation and make the argument that Labour always make.

“We made all the arguments, the economic analysis, macro, micro, fiscal and monetary issues. so we put everything forward and at the end, the President made his remark as the President and we all agreed let’s go back to internalize it, have some conversations and by one week time, we will come back and we will continue the meeting.”

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The labour leader’s sentiments on the minimum wage, echoed that of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who, earlier stated that “It is a fruitful meeting, father, children meeting. I think we are hopeful that very soon everything will be resolved.

“Of course, when father and children talk you know what it is? That’s just exactly what has happened. It took us almost an hour. I believe that it’s all for good.”