The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday rejected the minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government offering to pay N48,000, a figure far below the N615,00 the unions were demanding as the new national minimum wage.
The aggrieved union leaders summoned an emergency press conference where they expressed their displeasure with the government’s offer, describing it as ‘an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerian workers.’
The Federal Government disapproved of labour’s demand, insisting that it was unreasonable.
The TUC revealed that, “Labour presented first and we stood on our N615,000 proposal after which the OPS presented N54,000. Later the government came and proposed N48,000. There was no iota of seriousness. There was no data to back it up and that was the moment we walked out. When they are ready to be serious, they will call us.”
Meanwhile, the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, posited that the amount was reached after thorough consideration and analysis of the current economic situation and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six.
“Living wage is such that will, at least, keep you alive. It is not a wage that will make you poorer and poorer. It is not a wage that will make you borrow to go to work. It is not a wage that will lead you to be in the hospital every day because of malnutrition. For that living wage, we have tried to look at N615,000.
“Let me give you a breakdown of how we arrived at that figure. We have housing and accommodation of N40,000. We asked for electricity of N20,000 — of course, that was before the current tariff increase. Nobody can spend this amount currently. We have a utility that is about N10,000. We looked at kerosene and gas, that is about N25,000 to N35,000.
“We looked at food for a family of six. That is about N9,000 in a day. For 30 days, that is about N270,000. Look at medical. With the N50,000 provided, there will be no surgery or whatever.
“For clothing, we looked at N20,000. For education, N50,000. I don’t know about those who tried to put their children in private schools, they will not be able to cope with this amount. We also have sanitation of N10,000.
“I think where we have another bulk of the money is transportation. This is because the workers stay on the fringes and because of the cost of petrol, which amounted to N110,000.
“That brought the whole living wage to N615,000, and I want anyone to subject this to further investigation and find out whether there will be any savings when you pay somebody at this rate,’’ the NLC president explained.
However, the NLC leader on Wednesday, revealed that the organised private sector proposed an initial offer of N54,000.
Ajaero blamed the government for failing to reach an agreement.
“Despite earnest efforts to reach an equitable agreement, the less than reasonable action of the government and the organised private sector has led to a breakdown in negotiations.
“The Government’s proposal of a paltry N48,000 as the minimum wage not only insults the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.
“Though it is worth noting that even the least paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 as clearly stated by the OPS, highlighting the stark disparity between the proposed minimum wage and prevailing standards further demonstrating the unwillingness of employers and the government to faithfully negotiate a fair national minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.’’ He said.
The NLC president, insisted that Labour had to walk out of the negotiation, but noted that the unions remained committed to fighting for the rights and interests of Nigerian workers.
saharandaily