Labour Union Rejects ₦62,000 and ₦100,000 Minimum Wage Proposals, Threatens Strike Action
The organised labour has firmly stated it will not accept the federal government’s proposed minimum wages of ₦62,000 or ₦100,000 for Nigerian workers. In an interview on Channels Television, Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), criticized these proposals as inadequate, calling them “starvation wages.”
Onyeka stressed that the NLC’s demand for a living wage remains ₦250,000, which they believe is necessary for the average Nigerian worker to sustain themselves. He stated, “We will not settle for ₦62,000 or any amount that does not meet the basic needs of Nigerian workers. Our demand is clear at ₦250,000, which we consider a reasonable concession.”
He highlighted the economic realities that workers face daily, emphasizing the rising costs of essential goods like rice, yam, and garri. Onyeka reminded the government of the one-week deadline given on June 4, 2024, for a proposal review, which expires at midnight on June 11, 2024.
Onyeka warned that if the federal government and the National Assembly fail to meet the NLC’s demands by the deadline, the union would consider resuming nationwide industrial action. “The responsibility now lies with the government and the National Assembly to act on our demands and legislate a fair minimum wage. If they do not respond adequately, the NLC will decide on the next steps, potentially lifting the pause on our strike action,” he added.
The labour union’s stance underscores their commitment to securing a sustainable and fair wage for Nigerian workers, insisting that anything less than ₦250,000 is unacceptable.