The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has categorically rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦48,000 minimum wage, labelling it “abysmal” and “ridiculous.” TUC President, Festus Osifo, expressed his disappointment in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, emphasizing that the government’s proposal fails to reflect the reality of the average Nigerian worker. Osifo pointed out that the least federal worker already earns around ₦77,000, considering the previous wage award of ₦35,000. He questioned the logic behind proposing ₦48,000, which is significantly lower than the current earnings of federal workers.
TUC leader Osifo also challenged the Federal Government to provide data supporting their proposal and demonstrate how it addresses the needs of Nigerian workers. Earlier on May 15, 2024, labor unions walked out of the salary negotiations with the government and the Organised Private Sector due to the government’s “ridiculous” offer. The TUC had proposed a Minimum Wage of ₦615,000, providing a detailed breakdown of how it was arrived at. In contrast, the government presented ₦48,000 without any supporting data or explanation.
All conversations should be concluded by the end of May.
Osifo emphasized that the government’s failure to provide data backing their proposal indicates unpreparedness and a lack of seriousness in the Negotiation process. He reiterated that all conversations around a new national minimum wage must be concluded by the end of May. The TUC’s rejection of the government’s proposal highlights the ongoing struggle for a fair and living wage in Nigeria. The minimum wage has been a contentious issue, with workers demanding a significant increase to reflect the country’s economic reality. The government’s proposal has been widely criticized as inadequate and out of touch with the needs of Nigerian workers.
Also, the labor unions have been pushing for a minimum salary that takes into account the rising cost of living, inflation, and the country’s economic growth. The ₦615,000 proposed by the TUC is seen as a more realistic figure, considering the current economic conditions and the need for a living wage. The Federal Government’s proposal, on the other hand, has been criticized for being too low and not reflecting the reality of the average Nigerian worker. The government’s failure to provide supporting data and a clear breakdown of how the proposed wage will cater to the needs of workers has raised concerns about their commitment to a fair and meaningful negotiation process.
Unions remain resolute on demand for fair remuneration.
As the negotiations continue, the TUC and other labor unions remain resolute in their demand for a fair and living wage. The government’s proposal has been rejected, and the unions are pushing for a more realistic and data-driven approach to determining the minimum remuneration. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for Nigerian workers and the country’s Economy as a whole. The wage debate has been ongoing for several years, with workers demanding a wage that reflects the country’s economic reality.
Again, Nigeria’s current minimum wage of ₦30,000 has been criticized for being too low, and workers are demanding a significant increase to reflect the rising Cost Of Living and inflation. The TUC and other labor unions have been at the forefront of the wage debate, pushing for a fair and living wage for Nigerian workers. The unions have proposed a minimum wage of ₦615,000, which they believe is a more realistic figure considering the current economic conditions.
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But as the negotiations continue, the TUC and other labor unions remain committed to a data-driven approach to determining the minimum wage. The unions are pushing for a wage that reflects the country’s economic reality and takes into account the rising cost of living and inflation. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for Nigerian workers and the country’s economy as a whole. A fair and living wage will help to reduce Poverty and inequality, and will also boost Economic Growth and development. On the other hand, a low remuneration will continue to cause poverty and inequality, and will also hinder economic growth and development.