The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that they would prefer to mobilize workers to stay home with their families or provide free services rather than accept the Federal Government's proposed new minimum wage of N48,000. This statement was made by Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, during an interview on Sunday.
Last Wednesday, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress walked out of negotiations after the government offered N48,000, which is significantly lower than the N615,000 demanded by the unions as the new national minimum wage. Following the session, labor leaders called the offer "an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerian workers" at an emergency press conference.
In response to the unions' reaction, the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, Alhaji Bukar Goni, invited the unionists for another round of negotiations on Tuesday in a letter dated May 16.
Ndubuaku emphasized that the NLC would not relent until a better offer is presented. He criticized the federal and state governments for offering excuses despite increased allocations, which he finds absurd.
"We have given the FG an ultimatum. If the new minimum wage is not settled by the end of this month, we will all go home. Instead of accepting N48,000 per month, we will encourage workers to either work for free for the government or become artisans. That’s our current stance," Ndubuaku stated.
He questioned the government's rationale, suggesting that their actions lack proper consideration. He mentioned that even the National Bureau of Statistics reports an average daily food cost of N900, a figure from a government agency that contradicts the proposed minimum wage. He accused the government of either being out of touch or intentionally insulting the workers.
Ndubuaku expressed hope for a productive negotiation on Tuesday, stressing the need for a comprehensive plan that aligns with the people's expectations. He highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as food security, transportation subsidies, potentially using CNG buses, and health insurance. The NLC is eager to see what the government will propose in the upcoming session.
