- Tripartite Committee Begins Intensive Negotiations
By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
The Organised Labour, consisting of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have virtually settled for a National Minimum Wage (NMW) of N100,000.
This is as the George Akume-led Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage starts a series of daily meetings, aimed at reaching an agreement with labour.
The Deputy Head of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, stated this in a statement on Wednesday, June 5, confirming that the unions are steadfast in their demand for a N100,000 minimum wage.
Ndubuaku said: “Today’s meeting was primarily to set an agenda and plan how to complete the assignment within five days.
“The government representatives did not mention an increase from N60,000. They just set the agenda on how to proceed with the negotiations. Labour intends to close the negotiation on N100,000 minimum wage.
“It’s more like putting everybody on red alert. It means we are not going to give any notice. Which means by this time next week, we are going on strike. There is a difference between relax and suspend. Relax is to stay on your duty post and put your hands on the trigger. It is tomorrow (today) that we are expecting the government to submit another proposal.”
It would be recalled that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted in a statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, that the proposed minimum wage would impose an annual financial burden of N9.5tn on the nation, which he deemed unsustainable.
Despite efforts from the National Assembly leadership to mediate, labour unions commenced an indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, severely disrupting economic activities nationwide.
The strike resulted in the closure of banks, airports, public schools, and courts, prompting the Federal Government to call an emergency meeting to resolve the situation.
In a move to advance the negotiations, the unions announced a five-day suspension of the industrial action on Tuesday, June 4, after President Tinubu agreed to a national minimum wage exceeding N60,000.
Meanwhile, to demonstrate his commitment to the negotiations, Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days. The directive was issued during a meeting with the government negotiation team, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Akume, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
