As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has renewed its call for a new national minimum wage of N250,000. This stance was reiterated by NLC’s Acting President, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, in a statement responding to President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address on Wednesday in Abuja.
Despite the Federal Government’s proposal of N62,000 at the conclusion of the tripartite committee meeting, which included the Organised Private Sector (OPS), the NLC remains steadfast in its demand.
“Our demand remains N250,000,” stated Adeyanju. “We have not been given any compelling reasons to change this position, which we consider a significant concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process. We are surprised by the President’s assertion of an agreement.”
Adeyanju emphasized that no agreement had been reached with the NLC and TUC, suggesting that President Tinubu might have been misled. “There was no agreement, and it is important to clarify this to the President, Nigerians, and other stakeholders to prevent any misunderstandings in the ongoing minimum wage discussions,” he added.
The union has not reviewed the document submitted to the President and will not accept any altered version. Adeyanju reaffirmed the union’s expectation that the President would prepare an Executive Bill reflecting the genuine demands of Nigerian workers.
“This is an opportunity for President Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to Nigerian workers and the masses by rejecting advice from those focused on harming the poor and struggling workers of Nigeria,” Adeyanju said.
He also alleged that union leaders faced intimidation and harassment during negotiations, including media propaganda and armed soldiers being used to pressure the union.
“It is crucial for President Tinubu to understand that we were threatened multiple times by his operatives, possibly without his consent. Armed soldiers surrounded us during negotiations with the government,” Adeyanju noted.
The NLC remains hopeful that President Tinubu’s democratic principles will benefit Nigerian workers and the masses. The union clarified that it did not agree to a five-year duration for the minimum wage act, despite the President’s mention of it.
Adeyanju stressed the need for a fair and just minimum wage, stating, “It will be extremely difficult for Nigerian workers to accept a national minimum wage that amounts to a starvation wage. We cannot work and remain in abject poverty. This is an opportunity for President Tinubu to show that he listens to Nigerians, as he promised.”
