The Nigeria Labour Congress hinted on Tuesday that a nationwide strike could be looming due to a deadlock in the new minimum wage negotiations.
NLC’s Deputy President of Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, revealed to The PUNCH after the tripartite committee meeting that Labour had turned down the Federal Government’s revised offer of N60,000, which was an increase from the previous N57,000 proposal.
“This government needs to open up to Nigerians and tell us whether they have come to their wit’s end because as it is now, they don’t seem to know what to do and that means they need to tell the people what the problem is. This present situation can no longer lead us anywhere.
“It is not about just knowing what to do; they don’t have the experience to run a government of this nature,” he said
When asked about the possibility of a strike, Ndubuaku stated, “We are not returning for further negotiations. The notice of the strike has already been issued.”
Sources familiar with Tuesday’s discussions revealed that the committee has postponed its meetings indefinitely.
During the session, the Federal Government increased its initial minimum wage proposal from N57,000 to N60,000. However, the organized labour, including the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress, maintained their demand of N494,000, slightly reducing it from the previous N497,000.
An anonymous NLC leader, told newsmen that, “The meeting ended in a stalemate and has been adjourned indefinitely.”
“The government proposed N60,000 which was not accepted by Labour.”
Another labour leader, who also craved anonymity said, “This is simply a case of ‘if they go higher, we will go lower’. They need to propose something reasonable for us to propose something lower too. There are no two ways about it.
“Also, we have a way of meeting ourselves as members of the Labour before each committee meeting. This will help us to take a uniform stand by the time we get to the meeting front. So, as long as the government is ready to present something reasonable, we will meet them in the middle.”
Labour had initially set a May 31, 2024, deadline for the announcement of the new minimum wage.
A senior NLC official confirmed that Labour remains firm on concluding the wage negotiations by Friday.
Describing the events at the meeting when the Federal Government proposed N60,000, the official said, “Our walkout was not an indication of ending negotiations. It was a demonstration of our dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s lack of the required seriousness for a successful negotiation.”
“We have said from the beginning that we are not going to negotiate a wage reduction – as long as the government is still meagre. Imagine the government moved from N57,000 to N60,000 as the national minimum wage! And, if it is below N77,000 it shows that the government is not serious.”
He stressed that the Friday deadline is still in place because Labour had set this deadline for the government on May 1, during the May Day celebrations.
“As far as Labour is concerned, all options are on the table but that will be decided by the organs. On the expiration of the deadline on May 31st, the organs will meet and decide on the way forward.
“The trade union movement will be forced to issue a notice. The important is that the relevant organs of the two labour centres will decide on the next course of action,” he stated.
