Organized labor has urged President Bola Tinubu not to present any proposed minimum wage bill to the National Assembly without prior consultation with them and the Organized Private Sector.
They emphasized that workers nationwide will insist on receiving arrears owed from the previous minimum wage law, regardless of how long it takes for the new legislation to be enacted.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), conveyed these sentiments during a press briefing at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
They highlighted that the previous national minimum wage law, in effect since April 17, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.
Ajaero stressed the importance of consulting with tripartite bodies, labor, employers, and state governors to determine a reasonable minimum wage before finalizing any figures for submission to the National Assembly. He asserted that after submission, labor would continue lobbying for the best possible outcome for Nigerian workers.
Osifo echoed these concerns, citing inflation, currency devaluation, and rising energy costs as reasons for the urgency in resolving the new minimum wage. He emphasized that despite ongoing negotiations since January, the absence of a current minimum wage law since April 18, 2024, necessitates the immediate payment of arrears once the new law is enacted.
Both leaders emphasized their commitment to scrutinizing and approving the content of any reports submitted to the President before endorsing them, emphasizing the need for fairness in determining the new minimum wage figure.
