Nigerian govt urges NLC, TUC to halt strike, continue negotiation

The federal authorities has known as on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Commerce Union Congress (TUC) to return to the negotiation desk following the graduation of an indefinite strike by the unions.

Minister of Data and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the decision in an announcement on Monday.

The NLC and TUC started an indefinite strike on Monday to protest the refusal of the federal authorities to grant their demand for a minimal wage of N494,000.

Mr Idris mentioned the tripartite committee which has been assembly on the matter is ready to ascertain a sensible minimal wage for Nigerian employees.

“We are going to proceed to interact and make ourselves out there for these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian individuals,” mentioned Mr Idris.

The minister mentioned the federal government seeks a balanced and possible resolution, insisting that the proposed N494,000 minimal wage shouldn’t be viable.

Mr Idris urged the labour unions to rethink their calls for, stating that any agreed minimal wage would additionally impression the non-public sector and will have detrimental results on the economic system.

Labour Unions’ Place

In the meantime, the NLC and TUC, in a joint assertion on Monday, defined that the strike was initiated because of extended and unresolved negotiations with the federal authorities over a brand new nationwide minimal wage and up to date enhance in electrical energy tariffs.

They mentioned “the present minimal wage, by regulation, expired on 19 April 2024, necessitating an pressing evaluation.”

They mentioned the current enhance in electrical energy tariff is an unsustainable burden for companies and employees,

The unions mentioned the nationwide strike underscores the urgency of addressing their calls for for a good and dwelling wage.

They criticised the federal government’s counter-offer of N60,000, insisting that it’s insufficient and insensitive to the financial hardships confronted by employees because of insurance policies such because the elimination of the petrol subsidy, the devaluation of the naira, and hike in electrical energy tariffs.

“Authorities’s counter-offer mocks the excruciating hardship introduced on employees by its insensitive and oppressive financial insurance policies,” the assertion learn.

The unions additionally accused the federal government of exhibiting contempt for the negotiation course of by withdrawing its core negotiating representatives.

Background

The labour unions mentioned the decision for a brand new nationwide minimal wage aligns with worldwide finest practices and authorized requirements.

The Worldwide Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, notably the Minimal Wage Fixing Equipment Conference 26 of 1928 and the Minimal Wage Fixing Conference 131, mandate member nations to make sure a minimal wage that ensures a dwelling wage for all employees. Nigeria ratified these conventions, and the nationwide minimal wage has been a authorized requirement since 1961.

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In 1981, Nigeria’s first minimal wage was set at N125 (roughly $188 on the time), equal to N282,000 in right now’s trade price. Nonetheless, the actual worth of wages has declined, pushing many employees into poverty.

In his Monday assertion, Mr Idris mentioned President Bola Tinubu is able to sort out Nigeria’s financial challenges by means of human-faced insurance policies.