The Federal Government has extended an invitation to organized Labour to resume negotiations over the minimum wage on Friday, aiming to resolve the ongoing impasse.
This development was confirmed by a source in Abuja, indicating that Labour is expected to participate in the discussions.
“A letter has been addressed to Labour by the committee chairman and signed by the NSIWC chairman. The meeting is scheduled for Friday,” the source revealed.
“Of course, Labour will attend. If they present a better offer on Friday, we will accept it.”
The previous negotiations broke down on Tuesday when the Federal Government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage, an increase from the earlier N57,000 offer, was rejected by Labour. In response, Labour adjusted its demand slightly, reducing the proposed minimum wage from N497,000 to N494,000.
In an effort to expedite the negotiation process, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had set an ultimatum on May Day, requiring the committee to conclude the talks by the end of the month. This deadline will expire on Friday night.
“We have an ultimatum on May Day that if by May end, we don’t have a new minimum wage that will take a worker home, we will not be able to guarantee industrial peace,” stated Festus Osifo, President of the TUC. “We are sticking to that ultimatum.”
Amid the tense atmosphere, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, appealed to Labor for patience and patriotism.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, she emphasized the government’s efforts to ensure a fair wage amidst economic recovery.
“We appeal to organized Labour and, indeed, other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognizing that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks,” Onyejeocha said.
“We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.”
The Minister underscored the government’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens and urged for collective efforts to navigate the economic challenges. She highlighted that the government’s move to increase the proposed minimum wage to N60,000 demonstrates its willingness to address Labour’s concerns.
“As a government, we recognize the importance of ensuring that our citizens receive a decent standard of living wage, and we are committed to making this a reality,” Onyejeocha stated.
“After hours of intense negotiations, Labour leaders took a recess to consult with other key stakeholders and have pledged to return to the negotiating table for further discussion.”
Despite these efforts, a top official of the NLC reaffirmed Labour’s stance that the minimum wage negotiations must conclude by Friday. “We have not changed our position,” the official reiterated.
The outcome of Friday’s talks will be crucial in determining whether the Federal Government and organized Labour can reach a consensus on the new minimum wage, thus averting potential industrial unrest.