TVC E. The federal government and the Organised Labour, met few months ago to deliberate on the modalities for the new minimum wage proposal submitted by the workers.
Following the ongoing recession, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), proposed N56, 000 as new national minimum wage, arguing that the existing one is due for review.
NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, described the meeting as “a right step in the right direction because it is long overdue.”
“We have submitted that demand. As I speak with you, the negotiation committee has not even taken off. That is what I was informed two days ago since I had discussion with various people driving the process from the side of government.”
According to him, the palliative committee promised by the government to cushion the fuel price increase, was what led to the delay in inaugurating the minimum wage committee.
“I think they said because of the issue of the minimum wage and palliatives put together, they committee are supposed to arrive today and even meet tomorrow, three of my deputies are there
“They said they want to hand over everything so that the committee can then be approved, including the palliative by the federal government, because it is a technical committee headed by some ministers and our labour centres
“What I was informed is that report is supposed to be submitted within this week because the labour side will be meeting today.”
Continuing, he said: “They will then meet with government side tomorrow (Tuesday). They want to tidy up the report, including the membership of the team that is supposed to negotiate the minimum wage.”
“Workers are on daily basis being exposed and the purchasing power is going down, especially the issue of the exchange rate. They will be meeting tomorrow (today), and they are also trying to round up because they said they want the report to then go to the presidency for formal approval, because at the end of the day, the president must be involved. I want to assure you that we have not relented.”
