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Tag: minimum wage

  • Minimum wage: Tinubu directs Edun to come up with cost implications in 48 hours

    Minimum wage: Tinubu directs Edun to come up with cost implications in 48 hours

    …meets fed govt reps on tripartite committee

    President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economic, Wale Edun, to calculate the cost implications of a new national minimum wage. 

    President Tinubu gave the directive at the State House on Tuesday, June 4, when he held a meeting with members of the federal government’s negotiation team, which met with the organised labour on Monday leading to the suspension of a nationwide crippling industrial strike called by Labour. 

    Speaking to journalists at the meeting, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that the Minister of Finance has been given a deadline of today (Wednesday) to provide the figures, which will guide the government’s negotiation with organized labour.

    The meeting, attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, according to Idris, was aimed at finding a balance between the government’s pronouncements and the economic realities on the ground.

    “It’s been quite challenging, but we thank God that we’re at this point. We thank Labour that true to their words last night, they have suspended their strike early this morning.

    “Government on its side, you can see that the President has just summoned a meeting of all those who negotiated on behalf of the federal government, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Labour Party urges Fed Govt, Labour to return to negotiation table

    “The Minister of Finance was there, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, myself, the Minister of Labour, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC. 

    “We were all there to look at those issues and then the President has directed the Minister of Finance to do the numbers and get back to him between today and tomorrow so that we can have some figures ready for negotiation with Labour”, he said.

    Idris emphasised that the President is committed to a new minimum wage that is acceptable, sustainable, and realistic for all Nigerians, involving not just the federal government but also sub-nationals and the organized private sector.

    Idris noted that the government is not opposed to wage increases, but wants to ensure that any agreement reached is sustainable and realistic, given the economic realities on the ground.

    “Let me say that Mr President is determined to go with what the committee has said, he’s also looking at the welfare of Nigerians. Like I said earlier, government is not an opponent of Labour discussions, it’s not an opponent of wage increase, but what is there is that government is desirous of ensuring that there is balance between what its pronouncement is and what realities are on ground, therefore we’ll work assiduously to ensure that whatever we do, whatever promises government makes will be kept. That’s the idea of this meeting.

    “The President has given a marching order that all those who have negotiated on behalf of government and those who are representatives of other sectors, the organized private sector and the sub-nationals, come together so that we can have a new wage award that is acceptable, sustainable and also realistic for Nigeria.

    “A wage award is not just that of the federal government. Like I mentioned, the sub-nationals are involved, the organized private sector is involved, the Labour is involved. It was Labour that staged a walkout during those proceedings, now that we’ve come back to the negotiating table, all of us will work together again, assiduously, within the next one week to ensure that we have a new wage for Nigeria that is acceptable, sustainable and also realistic for all Nigerians”, Idris said.

    With labour suspending its strike, the government is working to ensure a new wage award that meets everyone’s expectations, with negotiations recommenced on Tuesday (yesterday).

  • Senate pledges speedy passage of Minimum Wage Bill

    Senate pledges speedy passage of Minimum Wage Bill

    …Lauds NLC, TUC for suspending strike

    The Senate on Tuesday promised to fast track its consideration and passage of a new Minimum Wage Bill for the country.

    This is even as the Red Chamber commended the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for suspending its indefinite strike for one week.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio made these remarks  during plenary in Abuja.

    Akpabio’s comments followed a motion calling on the NLC and TUC to suspend the strike.

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Diket Plang (PDP – Plateau Central), who chairs the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment.

    However, during debate on the motion, information got to the chamber that the NLC and TUC have suspended their strike action for one week to allow for further negotiations with the Federal Government. 

    Following the information, the Senate stepped down the motion.

    Akpabio said: “Taking it (motion) will mean that we are jumping the gun and we are trying to settle the issues for them.

    “There are many variables that they will look at – capacity to pay and the ability of states, local governments and private sector to even pay.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Tinubu meets fed govt reps on tripartite committee

    “They will also be looking at the fact that if the minimum wage is too high, then the possibility of retrenchment of workers will occur and I think they will do comparative analysis to know that the last minimum wage which was fixed at N30,000.00 by this parliament as an Act of the National Assembly, how many states were able to pay? How many local governments were able to pay? How many employers were able to pay?

    “We’ll be looking at those things because it’s important that holistic approach be looked at and I have taken the suggestion that we should not rest until we arrive at an amicable resolution of the issue and that the National Assembly should also continue to make its own contributions towards the ongoing negotiations.

    “On that note, I want to thank the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for listening to the voice of Nigerians and the international community by calling off the strike to enable negotiations to continue and we wish them well in the negotiations.

    “On our part, we will continue to do our best by making contributions and at the same time awaiting the incoming Bill on Minimum Wage for us to enact for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

  • Minimum wage: Presidency warns of severe consequences over labour’s demands

    Minimum wage: Presidency warns of severe consequences over labour’s demands

    • …says labour’s 20 times increase demand risks job losses, business closures

    The Presidency has cautioned that the demand by organized Labour for a significant increase in the minimum wage could have far-reaching and devastating consequences for the Nigerian economy.

    Speaking on TVC’s “Politics on Sunday with Femi Akande” programme, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, emphasised that while President Bola Tinubu is committed to improving the welfare of Nigerians, the economic realities of the country cannot support the demands of labour.

    Recall that the organized Labour, represented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had last week called on its members to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial strike from today (Monday), over the inability of the Tripartite on Minimum Wage to agree on a new minimum wage.

    The minimum wage committee, a 37-member body, led by Bukar Goni Aji, comprises the government, organized private sector (OPS), and organized Labour.

    As at last week, while representatives of both the government and the OPS stepped up their offers up to N57,000, the Labour brought its initial demand of N615,000 down to N497,000, a situation that presented further disagreement on their negotiations.

    However, Ngelale explained that should Labour’s demand sail, it would not only affect the federal civil service but also the entire economy, including small businesses and the informal sector.

    He warned that mandating a 20-fold increase in wages would lead to massive job losses, business closures, and unsustainable price increases for goods and services.

    The Presidential aide urged Labour to consider the pragmatic implications of their demands, which could exacerbate the struggles of Nigerian citizens, including increased school fees and prices of food and commodities.

    “I think the starting point is to recognize that President Bola Tinubu would love to have a minimum wage in this country. That is even north of N1 million per month for every Nigerian, he would love to be able to do that. He does and his administration does have the highest regard for our people and he believes they deserve the best.

    “But he also recognizes that there are economic realities and fundamentals within the country right now that do not support what the organized Labour movement is advocating for and I want to be very clear this evening about what the consequences would be if organized Labour had its way.

    “Right now there is this notion out there that the minimum wage conversation in the country is simply almost a conversation between a federal executive administration and organized Labour about a new minimum wage for the federal civil service. That is not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about a new national minimum wage for every Nigerian citizen, both within the formal economy as well as the informal economy.

    “This has ramifications. Essentially, we’re moving from the current minimum wage where it is to, if Labour got its way, something north of N500,000 per month, you’re looking at almost 20 times, right.

    “So the impact that would now have on the citizens of the country, we’re not talking about government now, we’re talking about our people, is, I want to be practical about this, if you’re thinking of the mom and pop shop that is dealing in chinchin and bakery and these kinds of goods and services.

    “The idea that you are going to mandate them to 20 times whatever it is they’re paying their staff within that small business, you know that you are essentially mandating the closure of that business and you are literally, indirectly sacking the entire set of people who happen to be working there because that business is closing because they cannot live up to the minimum wages that organized Labour is asking for.

     “I’ll be even more practical about this, aside from massive job loss across sectors, across our nation, at a time when we are looking for new job opportunities for the teeming youth population in the country.

    “You’re also talking about private schools, for example, where you are now going to be mandating for not just teachers, but janitors, cooks, and the like, a 20-times increase in the wages they will have to pay.

    “What that will now mean is that if those schools don’t just close or if they don’t have to go into a massive retrenchment exercise, what it will also mean is for the Nigerian citizen right now, who is currently grappling with what we all agree is an unsustainably low minimum wage as it is today.

    “He or she is now going to be grappling with school fees that are 10 times plus what they presently are today, not to talk of the price of food items, not to talk of the price of so many other goods and commodities that our people, even if they’re in a struggling state, can kind of try and afford, it now becomes totally unsustainable.

    Read Also: Strike: Employ other means for acceptable minimum wage, ex-CAN chair tells NLC

    “So these are, I think, some of the real pragmatic assessments that need to be made public so that everyone understands that this is not just a matter of government not wanting to bulge or government wanting to maintain as much of its revenues as possible. No, we’re talking about an existential issue to the Nigerian economy and it should be treated as such”, Ngelale said.

    Asked if the President would be willing to shift grounds to meet Labour’s demand, the Presidential Spokesman said though Tinubu is an empathic leader, who had shown concern for the sufferings of his people over and again, he said he is also as pragmatic and would not let Labour push government into an unachievable decision. 

    “Let me say that we have never had a more pragmatic president who recognizes the very minute and acute challenges that our people face. I mean, this is a president who when he was governor went to the level of paying NECO fees for indigent families in Lagos State.

    “I mean, that is the level of attention to detail that he pays to issues confronting his constituency. Now, the nation is his constituency and he’s not less concerned, if not even more so given the wide raft of responsibility.

    “So he’s a man of empathy. He is going to do what is right, but he’s also going to ensure that while he does his very best for Nigerian families, irrespective of which part of the country they come from and what sector they operate in, he’s also going to ensure that there is not a mass retrenchment as a result of any kind of move by organized Labour to try and push the government to a threshold of agreeing to something that is in effect unachievable and unsustainable”, he said.

  • Strike: Employ other means for acceptable minimum wage, ex-CAN chair tells NLC

    Strike: Employ other means for acceptable minimum wage, ex-CAN chair tells NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been advised to employ all means possible to dialogue with the federal government to find an amicable solution for an acceptable minimum wage for the country’s workforce.

    The immediate past chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna state, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, observed that while Nigerians are going through hardships, organized labour should consider an amount the two parties will agree on minimum wage.

    Hayab, the Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, noted: “Labour unions should not allow going to strike on any issue to look cheap before any government is in power. It will be like a husband telling his wife that he will divorce her on any slightest mistake she makes and end up making the husband appear unserious in anything he says.”

    He added: “I personally appeal to the organized labour to please take a critical look on going on strike and seek for alternative means of registering its unacceptable amount given by the government. The two parties should in the interest of all Nigerians shift ground and come to a reasonable amount that will be favourable to all for the overall development of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Renewed Hope: NDDC subjects employees to mandatory anti-graft training

    “Since the government has appealed to labour to consider going on strike tomorrow (Monday), l also enjoined the two parties to quickly as possible look for an alternative solution that will stop workers from going on strike in order not to further put Nigerians in the worst situation that many are finding it very hard to live from hand to mouth,” he appealed.

    Hayab however called on the two parties to come up with workable solutions that would save the country from worsening her economic hardship, saying that both labour and government should be realistic in their discussion towards finding a means that will hinder the strike from taking off on Monday.

  • Why we rejected Labours’ N494,000 minimum wage demand, by FG

    Why we rejected Labours’ N494,000 minimum wage demand, by FG

    The Federal.Government has explained why it rejected labour union new proposal of N494,000 minimum wage.

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the demand which cumulatively amounts to the sum of N9.5 trillion bill is unsustainable. 

    Besides, the Minister said the huge demand is capable of destabilising the economy and jeopardising the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.

    The Organised Labour has vowed to go on strike from Monday. 

    Idris, in a statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, said the offer of N60,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government, which translates to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage of 2019, has been accepted by the Organised private sector, which is a member of the tripartite committee of the negotiations team.

    Read Also: Nigeria moves to boost skills development

    “The Federal Government’s New Minimum Wage proposal amounts to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage 2019. Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which would increase by 1,547% on the existing wage.

    “The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which Labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to the sum N9.5 trillion bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria. 

    “Nigerians need to understand that whereas the FG is desirous of ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, what is most critical is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job loss, especially in the private sector, who may not be able to pay the wage demanded by the Organised Labour,” he said.

    The Minister said even though Labour is keen on the take-home pay of about 1.2 million workers, the Federal Government is concerned with the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians based on its guiding principle of affordability, sustainability and the overall health of the nation’s economy.

     Idris appealed to the Organised Labour to return to the negotiating table and embrace reasonable and realistic wages for their members.

    He said because of the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the welfare of workers, the wage award of N35,000 for Federal workers would continue until a new national minimum wage is introduced.

  • EXPLAINER: Why FG maintained N60,000 minimum wage

    EXPLAINER: Why FG maintained N60,000 minimum wage

    The Federal Government and Organised ltabour on Friday, May 31 failed to reach an agreement on a new national minimum wage.

    The government added N3, 000 to its initial offer of N57, 000 proposed last week, taking the total figure to N60, 000 while labour lowered its demand by removing N3, 000 from the N497, 000 it proposed last week.

    The tripartite committee has been locked in talks over a new minimum wage since the committee was inaugurated in January this year.

    To fast track the negotiation process, the NLC and TUC on May Day gave the committee till the end of the month to wrap up talks on a new national minimum wage.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: NLC, TUC begin indefinite strike Monday

    That ultimatum expired on Friday night without an agreement.

    During the meeting, the government defended their offer of N60,000.00 per month.

    Here are 14 reasons the FG gave for a N60,000 minimum wage:

    1. N35,000 wage award for all treasury-paid Federal workers.
    2. N100 billion for the procurement of CNG-fuelled buses and CNG conversion kits.
    3. N125 billion conditional grant and financial inclusion to MSMEs.
    4. N25,000 each to be shared to 15 million households for 3 months.
    5. N185 billion palliatives (loans to States) to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
    6. N200 billion to support the cultivation of hectares of land to boost food production.
    7. N75 billion to strengthen the manufacturing sector.
    8. N1 trillion for student loans for higher education.
    9. Release of 42,000 metric tons of grains from strategic reserves.
    10. Purchase and onward distribution of 60,000 metric tons of Rice from the rice millers association.
    11. Recent salary increase of 25-35 per cent on all consolidated Salary structures for federal workers.
    12. 90% subsidy on health costs for Federal Civil Servants registered on NHIS.
    13. Light rail commissioned in Abuja to relieve transportation cost till the end of the year. Lagos State had already commence same initiative with their Blue and Red lines.
    14. In addition to the freedom of Civil Servants to engage in agriculture, Federal Government has approved the inclusion of ICT services for alternate sources of income.
  • Minimum wage: NLC, TUC begin indefinite strike Monday

    Minimum wage: NLC, TUC begin indefinite strike Monday

    • Deadlock in talks as FG, OPS insist on N60,000

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday declared an indefinite strike effective Monday, June 2 after the latest negotiation with the federal government on the new minimum wage and the recent hike of electricity tariff ended in a deadlock.

    Organised labour rejected the N60,000 which government and the private sector said was the best they could offer under the circumstance.

    The amount was the same tabled during the resumed negotiation on Tuesday.

    Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, Presidents of NLC and TUC respectively, told reporters that the strike would commence at midnight of June 2, 2024.

    They asked affiliates and state councils, civil society organisations, market men and women and the general populace to prepare for a decisive action.

    Osifo said government and organised private sector (OPS) maintained the N60,000 they presented at Tuesday’s meeting.

    The government added N3,000 to the  N57,000 it proposed last week, taking the total figure to N60,000.

    At the same meeting, labour lowered its demand by removing N3,000 from the N497,000 it proposed last week.

    In effect, it wants the minimum wage to be N494,000 per month.

    The 37-member tripartite committee on the new minimum wage set up by the federal government has been locked in talks since the committee was inaugurated in January.

    To fast track the negotiation process, the NLC and TUC on May Day gave the committee till the end of last month to wrap up the negotiation.

    That ultimatum expired last night without an agreement.

    Speaking during the press conference, Osifo said: “We shall be commencing an indefinite strike effective from Sunday midnight of June 2, 2024 and this strike will be indefinite and it will continue until we have a new minimum wage and until the government is serious.

    “We are united on this because we believe this is the way forward. We believe, as we have done over the years, to consistently stand with the working class of Nigeria because they have been battered since May 29, 2023 till date.”

    In a joint address, the NLC and TUC expressed “grave concern and disappointment over the federal government failure to conclude and pass into law a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the vexatious hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh.”

    They said: “Today’s meeting further demonstrated the un-seriousness and apparent contempt with which the Nigerian state holds the demands of Nigerian workers and people. No Governor was present and ministers absent except the Minister of State for Labour and Employment who doubles as a conciliator.

    “There was none present on the side of the government with appropriate authority to commit them to any outcome; in essence, government abandoned the meeting. We consider this disdainful and lack of commitment to a successful National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise.

     “You will all recall that during the last May Day celebration on the 1st of May2024, we issued a clear ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the conclusion of this critical exercise by the end of the month. However, there has been no significant progress or commitment from the government towards meeting this demand.

    “We also demanded a reversal of the last hike in electricity tariff to N225/kwh back to N65/kwh and stoppage of the apartheid categorisation of consumers into Bands.

    “We carried out a nationwide one day protest on the 13th day of May 2024,giving the government until the last day of this month to take action, but the government has not entirely shown any positive response despite the national outrage at this insensitive hike.

    “Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the current economic realities.

    “It is disheartening that despite our repeated calls and the clear ultimatum issued, the government continues to neglect its responsibility to the workforce.

    “It has, rather than engage in a dialogue, persistently raised its attack dogs to seek to denigrate and intimidate trade union leaders.

    “It continues to remain our belief that the people ought to be the only reason for governance and nothing else. Government must therefore seek the welfare of the people at all times, and refusal to put the people first compels all patriots to take the right step in assisting the government to govern well.

    “The hike in electricity tariff impoverishes further the already suffering people and denies them the right to decent living.

    “Instead of taking remedial action or engaging in a meaningful dialogue, Nigerians were visited with a barrage of the usual propaganda.

    “In the light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government.

    Read Also: Soldier killed in home state Abia after surviving five years fight against terrorists

    “We reiterate that since the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded and the agreed wage passed into law; the hike in electricity tariff not reversed and categorisation of consumers into Bands not stopped as demanded; Nigerian workers are compelled by these failures to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action beginning on Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024 to press home our demands.

     “The NLC and TUC are united in this cause, and we call on all our affiliates and state councils, Civil Society Organisations, market men and women and the general populace to prepare for a decisive action.

    “We cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses. The welfare of Nigerian workers and people is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.

    “We regret the inconveniences this refusal of the federal government to heed our demands may cause all of us, but we assure you of our determination to pursue this cause to its conclusion.”

    President Bola Tinubu, through the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on January 30, 2024 inaugurated the tripartite committee to come up with a new minimum wage.

    Membership cuts across federal and state governments, the private sector, and organised labour.

    Shettima, during the committee’s inauguration, urged the members to “speedily” arrive at a resolution and submit their reports early.

    “This timely submission is crucial to ensure the emergence of a new minimum wage,” Shettima said.

     He also urged collective bargaining in good faith, emphasising contract adherence and encouraging consultations outside the committee.

     The 37-man committee is chaired by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Aji.

    NECA: Jobs can only be guaranteed when businesses are alive

     The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) yesterday expressed disappointment at the failure of the tripartite committee to arrive at a consensus on the new minimum wage.

    The Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said in a statement on behalf of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) that contrary to some views the committee was set up to “negotiate a new National Minimum Wage and not a living wage.”

    It was also not set up to adjust salaries, he said, stressing that “minimum wage is the wage that no employer should pay below, either in the private or public sector.”

    He said the position of OPSN was essentially to “arrest the ongoing job losses and continuous shut-down of businesses in Nigeria. It is important to state that jobs can only be guaranteed when businesses are alive and sustainable.”

    On the decision of organised labour to walk out on the negotiation and declare indefinite strike, the NECA DG said: “While it is within the right of organised labour to embark on any action it deems fit and necessary to achieve its objectives, organised businesses will also, within extant legislation, do all that is necessary to protect enterprise sustainability and protect jobs.”

    He said organised businesses themselves were facing a myriad of challenges such as multiple taxes, levies and fees, astronomical power costs and rising interest rates and exchange rates and pointed out that the offer of N60,000, a 100 per cent increase in the National Minimum Wage, was a sacrifice on the part of the Organised Private Sector.

    He said: “While it is important to note that socio-economic conditions over the years have rendered the N30,000 minimum wage inadequate, the same conditions have incapacitated many businesses, fatally affecting their sustainability and ability to pay.”

    He warned that the demand by organised labour at this period could cripple small and medium enterprises and render many other businesses comatose.

    He added: “It is important to strike a balance between workers’ needs, the current economic situation, ability to pay and productivity. At N30,000 per month, many state governments and local government areas are unable to pay.

    “An astronomical increase as being demanded will make compliance practically impossible. We urge government to fast-track the implementation of its interventions to make life more bearable for workers, businesses, and Nigerians in general.

    “Any disruption of organised businesses’ activities could have serious consequences on job security and the sustainability of businesses.

    “Businesses need to be alive and stay sustainable for jobs to be created and for government to generate taxes.”

  • Govt, Labour, OPS resume new minimum wage negotiation

    Govt, Labour, OPS resume new minimum wage negotiation

    Talks between the Federal Government and organised Labour on a new minimum wage  will resume tomorrow, three days after a third attempt by them to reach an agreement failed.

    Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) President Joe Ajaero made this known yesterday.

    Also yesterday, the Federal Government enjoined Labour to be considerate and patriotic in its demand.

    Ajaero said the union received a letter of invitation from the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee Gobi Aji which it would honour. The letter was signed by the committee’s Secretary, Ekpo Nta.

    The NLC leader said:  “We will attend(the meeting) but you know our ultimatum expires on Friday(tomorrow). If they present a better offer on that day we will accept it. But we will not attend the meeting for the sake of talks. We will not go into a monologue.” 

    Negotiators on the new wage failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday despite the government raising its offer to N60,000.

    Labour officials, who lowered them demand to N494,000,  walked out  of the meeting, claiming they wanted to make consultation.  But they failed to return to the venue.

    Labour leaders thereafter told reporters that they rejected N60,000 offer.

    The  Federal Government restated its commitment to ensuring that workers were paid a living wage.

    But it urged Labour to recognise that the nation’s economy was still on the path of recovery from the effects of the COVID-19  pandemic and other economic shocks.

    Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha said in a statement by the ministry’s Press and Public Relations Director, Olajide Oshundun,   that the government’s offer of N60,000 was a demonstration of its willingness to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement was reached.

    The statement reads: “We appeal to organised labour and indeed, other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognising that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks.

    ‘’We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.

    “The government remains dedicated to prioritising the well-being of our citizens and urge all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding, particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalise the economy.

    ‘’We recognise that the economic challenges we face are complex and multifaceted, and we require the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them.

    “Yesterday’s(Tuesday) meeting with organised labour was a significant step in our ongoing efforts to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers. As a government, we recognise the importance of ensuring that our citizens receive a decent standard of living, and we are committed to making this a reality.

    “After hours of intense negotiations, labour leaders took a recess to consult with other key stakeholders and have pledged to return to the negotiating table for further discussion. We welcome this development and are optimistic that our continued engagement will yield a positive outcome.

    “In the light of the current economic conditions, we have made a concessionary move from N57,000 to N60,000. This increase is a demonstration of our willingness to listen to the concerns of labour and to work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.

    ‘’We understand that the current economic landscape is challenging, and we are doing everything in our power to mitigate its effects on our citizens.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, Labour to resume minimum wage talks Friday

    ‘’This is the path that this government has chosen to pursue, and we will not deviate or stray from the course.

    “President(Bola) Tinubu has been tireless in his efforts to revitalise the economy and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians. His commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reducing poverty is genuine, and we appeal to all to support him in this endeavour.

    “As we move forward, we will continue to engage with organised labour and other stakeholders to ensure that our economic policies are inclusive and beneficial to all.”

    ‘’We recognise that the times are challenging, but we are confident that with the collective effort of all Nigerians, we can overcome any obstacle and build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.”

    The two labour centres – NLC and the  Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had on  May 1  given the 37-man Tripartite Committee till  Friday to wrap up talks on the minimum wage or risk industrial action.

    The committee which is headed by a  former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Aji, was inaugurated on January 30 to “speedily” arrive at a resolution and submit its reports early.

  • Minimum wage: Be considerate in your demand, Fed Govt tells Organised Labour

    Minimum wage: Be considerate in your demand, Fed Govt tells Organised Labour

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has appealed to organised labour to be considerate and patriotic in their demand for a new national minimum wage.

    Onyejeocha stated that the government has been consistent in taking steps to secure a fair and realistic wage for workers and urged Labour to recognise that the nation’s economy was still on the path of recovery from the effect of the pandemic and other economic distress.

    While saying the government recognised the importance of ensuring that citizens receive a decent standard of living, the minister assured labour of the commitment of the government to making it a reality.

    In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, the minister said: “We appeal to organised labour and indeed, other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognising that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks. We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.

    “The government remains dedicated to prioritising the well-being of our citizens and urges all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding, particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalise the economy. We recognise that the economic challenges we face are complex and multifaceted, and we require the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them.

    “Yesterday’s meeting with organised labour was a significant step in our ongoing efforts to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers. As a government, we recognise the importance of ensuring that our citizens receive a decent standard of living, and we are committed to making this a reality.

    Read Also: Labour rejects govt’s 100% minimum wage increase

    “After hours of intense negotiations, labour leaders took a recess to consult with other key stakeholders and have pledged to return to the negotiating table for further discussion. We welcome this development and are optimistic that our continued engagement will yield a positive outcome.

    “In light of the current economic conditions, we have made a concessionary move from N57,000 to N60,000. This increase is a demonstration of our willingness to listen to the concerns of labour and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement. We understand that the current economic landscape is challenging, and we are doing everything in our power to mitigate its effects on our citizens. This is the path that this government has chosen to pursue, and we will not deviate or stray from the course.

    “President Tinubu has been tireless in his efforts to revitalise the economy and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians. His commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reducing poverty is genuine, and we appeal to all to support him in this endeavour.

    “As we move forward, we will continue to engage with organised labour and other stakeholders to ensure that our economic policies are inclusive and beneficial to all. We recognise that the times are challenging, but we are confident that with the collective effort of all Nigerians, we can overcome any obstacle and build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.”

  • JUST IN: Organised Labour rejects FG’s proposed N60,000 minimum wage

    JUST IN: Organised Labour rejects FG’s proposed N60,000 minimum wage

    The Organised Labour on Tuesday, May 28, staged a walkout during the Tripartite Committee meeting on Minimum Wage, rejecting the federal government’s increased offer of N60,000.

    The labour union, however, shifted its position from its previous stance of ₦497,000 to ₦494,000.

    The Nation reported that the government had initially proposed ₦48,000 and ₦54,000 last week, both of which were rejected by labour.

    Read Also: Ten African countries with highest minimum wage

    Today’s meeting ended in a deadlock, with no agreement reached on the new minimum wage.

    With the labor unions’ deadline approaching on May 31, the Tripartite Committee tasked with negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers has yet to reach a consensus.