The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued an ultimatum to the federal government, setting a deadline of May 31 for the announcement of a new national minimum wage for workers.
This ultimatum comes despite the government’s recent decision to increase civil servants’ salaries by 35 percent.
In addition to the salary hike for civil servants, the federal government has approved an increase ranging from 20 percent to 28 percent for pensioners under the defined benefits scheme, effective from May 1, 2024.
However, the labour unions have remained steadfast in their demand for a higher minimum wage, advocating for ₦615,000 as the new benchmark.
Speaking at the Workers’ Day Celebration in Abuja, Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The NLC and the TUC have made it clear and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country.”
Echoing Ajaero’s sentiments, Festus Osifo, TUC president, highlighted the financial strain faced by Nigerian workers, asserting that the current ₦30,000 minimum wage is inadequate in light of the country’s economic challenges.
Furthermore, Osifo called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to reverse the recent increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers within the next week.
The deadline set by the labour unions adds pressure on the federal government to expedite negotiations and address the concerns of workers across the nation. Failure to meet this deadline could result in disruptions to industrial activities nationwide.