The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clarified that no specific figure has been agreed upon for the new minimum wage, refuting President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that a consensus has been reached.
During his Democracy Day address, President Tinubu announced that an agreement had been reached between the Federal Government and organised labour on a new national minimum wage. He stated that an executive bill would soon be sent to the National Assembly to formalize this agreement, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to a democratic approach in addressing labour union demands.
However, in a detailed statement, the Acting President of the NLC, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, countered this claim, asserting that the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage did not reach any agreement when negotiations ended on June 7, 2024. He reaffirmed that the NLC’s demand remains at N250,000, a figure the union considers a significant concession.
“Our demand still stands at N250,000,” Adeyanju stated. “We have not been given any compelling reasons to alter this position, which we consider a substantial concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.”
The NLC expressed concern that President Tinubu may have been misinformed about the outcome of the wage negotiation process. They emphasized the need for clarity to ensure that all stakeholders understand the true state of negotiations.
The statement highlighted several key points:
1. **Rejection of Starvation Wage:** The NLC reiterated its stance against accepting any minimum wage that equates to a starvation wage, emphasizing the importance of a livable wage for Nigerian workers.
2. **Clarification of Negotiation Status:** The NLC pointed out that no agreement had been reached on the base figure for the national minimum wage or its components, contrary to what President Tinubu was led to believe.
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3. **Transparency in Documentation:** The NLC noted that they had not seen the document submitted to the President and would not accept any doctored document misrepresenting their position.
4. **Intimidation and Harassment:** The NLC detailed instances of intimidation and harassment faced by trade union leaders during the negotiation process, including being surrounded by armed soldiers, despite government denials. They stressed the importance of President Tinubu’s advisors providing accurate information.
5. **Commitment to Democratic Principles:** The NLC acknowledged the President’s commitment to democratic ideals, which allowed the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to proceed despite challenges. They urged President Tinubu to harmonize the figures submitted by the committee in favour of workers and the masses.
In his Democracy Day speech, President Tinubu stated, “As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you. In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organized labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less. In the face of labour’s call for a national strike, we did not seek to oppress or crack down on the workers as a dictatorial government would have done. We chose the path of cooperation over conflict. No one was arrested or threatened. Instead, the labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate toward a good-faith resolution.”
The NLC expressed their appreciation for the President’s dedication to democratic values and hoped that these principles would lead to a fair resolution in favour of Nigerian workers.
In conclusion, the NLC urged the federal government to address their demands seriously, warning that any attempt to impose a lower figure would be unacceptable. They called for genuine dialogue and respect for the true outcomes of the tripartite negotiations.