FG’s N48,000 Minimum Wage Proposal Sparks Labour Union Outrage

Labour unions across Nigeria have expressed outrage following the federal government’s proposal of a new minimum wage set at N48,000 for workers nationwide.

The contentious proposal was presented during a tripartite committee meeting resumed on Wednesday, May 15, but was swiftly rejected by labour leaders in attendance.

Sources reveal that representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) left the virtual meeting in protest against the proposed wage increase.

According to a labour leader present at the meeting, the government’s proposal was viewed as a wage reduction rather than a meaningful improvement in workers’ living standards.

“The government’s proposal of N48,000 as the new minimum wage is tantamount to wage reduction,” stated the labour leader, emphasizing the lack of seriousness on the part of the government in addressing workers’ welfare concerns. “The commitment to providing workers with a living wage appears to be nothing more than a joke,” he added.

Following the meeting, Benson Upah, spokesperson for the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), reiterated labour’s dissatisfaction with the government’s stance. “Yes, we’re leaving. You will receive the details when we address the press,” Upah stated, underscoring the union’s intention to further address the matter publicly.

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The rejection of the N48,000 minimum wage proposal comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s pledge on May Day to deliver a living wage to workers, promising an end to their prolonged wait for improved compensation. Prior to the government’s proposal, labour unions had advocated for a minimum wage of N615,000, citing the exorbitant cost of living as their benchmark for a fair wage.

The federal government’s proposal and subsequent rejection by labour unions signal a widening gap between the government and workers’ expectations regarding wages and living standards. As the issue continues to unfold, tensions between labour and the government are likely to escalate, with both sides standing firm on their respective positions.