No Industrial Action Planned Until President’s Decision, Says Ajaero
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, announced that the Organized Labour would not take any industrial action until President Bola Tinubu decides on the proposed new minimum wage. The NLC is awaiting Tinubu’s stance on the two competing proposals submitted by the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage: Labour’s demand for ₦250,000 and the government’s proposal of ₦62,000.
Ajaero emphasized that no industrial action would be taken until the President’s decision on these proposals is clear. The Tripartite Committee, which includes representatives from the federal and state governments, the Organized Private Sector, and Labour, submitted these proposals to the President through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Monday.
Speaking at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Ajaero stated, “Two reports have been sent to the President, and the NLC will wait for the next line of action based on how the President handles this matter. The NLC will not take any actions until the President’s decision is made. Once that happens, the National Executive Council will convene to discuss and decide on the way forward.”
Ajaero also criticized the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for deeming the ₦62,000 minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government unsustainable.
Ajaero’s recent statement contrasts with Labour’s earlier announcement about meeting to decide on resuming industrial action. Labour had previously stated that the one-week grace period given to the Federal Government, ending on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, would be followed by a decision on whether to resume the nationwide industrial action if their demands were not met.
Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, reiterated on Channels Television that the responsibility now lies with the Federal Government and the National Assembly to act on the workers’ demands. He emphasized that Labour’s demand is clear and requires the government to send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to establish a National Minimum Act that meets these demands.
Labour Insists on ₦250,000
The NLC has firmly rejected the government’s offer of ₦62,000 and even a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage, https://youtu.be/vZuGEZVT-YU?si=agGllibGc8ySMmEO insisting on ₦250,000 as the living wage for Nigerian workers. Onyeka stated, “We have never considered accepting ₦62,000 or any other wage that cannot sustain Nigerian workers. We are still at ₦250,000, which we believe is a reasonable concession to the government. We base this demand on the realities of the market and everyday expenses like rice, yam, and garri.”
After weeks of unsuccessful negotiations on a new minimum wage, Labour declared an indefinite strike on June 3, 2024, disrupting various sectors including airports, hospitals, banks, and legislative complexes. The unions argued that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 is insufficient given the economic challenges, inflation, and the removal of fuel subsidies.
The ongoing dispute stems from the fact that not all state governors are paying the current minimum wage, which expired in April 2024, five years after it was established by the Minimum Wage Act of 2019.
In January 2024, President Tinubu initiated the formation of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage. Initially, Labour demanded ₦615,000, which was later reduced to ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000. Meanwhile, the government’s offers started at ₦48,000 and incrementally increased to ₦60,000, all of which were rejected by Labour.
Despite the strike, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, assured that the President was committed to a wage above ₦60,000 and called for further negotiations. Consequently, Labour temporarily suspended the strike on June 4, 2024, to resume talks.
On June 7, 2024, Labour lowered their demand to ₦250,000, while the government raised their offer to ₦62,000. Both proposals have now been submitted to President Tinubu, who is expected to make a decision and present an executive bill to the National Assembly for a new minimum wage law.
