Abuja, July 10, 2024 – The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has reiterated its call for a minimum wage of N250,000 for Nigerian workers. This announcement was made by TUC President, Festus Osifo, during the inaugural Annual Convention of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Women Commission in Abuja. The event was themed “The Dynamic Woman: Navigating Challenges in a Constantly Evolving World.”
Osifo emphasized that this proposed minimum wage is crucial for enhancing the living conditions of workers across the nation. He noted that the TUC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is actively engaged in negotiations with government officials to finalize the new wage structure.
“Negotiations on the new minimum wage have not been abandoned,” Osifo stated. “Labour and the government are fine-tuning the matter. The minimum wage negotiations cannot be dead. The 2019 minimum wage, which has expired, took about two years to materialize. We started the negotiations in 2017.”
Osifo reassured that the current discussions, initiated in January this year, aim to expedite the process compared to the prolonged negotiations of 2019. He pointed out that the minimum wage issue is a priority and that President Bola Tinubu is seeking further consultations before presenting the proposal to the National Assembly.
“So where we are today, we submitted the divergent position in June,” Osifo explained. “Mr. President came out to say that he wanted to consult across board – with governors, Local Government chairmen, the organized private sector, and labour. We are conducting these consultations to ensure that what will be submitted to the National Assembly is a minimum wage that will cater to the poorest of the poor.”
Despite the media silence, Osifo assured that significant internal work is ongoing to ensure the bill’s submission is timely. He maintained that the N250,000 benchmark remains the ideal minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The push for a higher minimum wage comes in response to the economic challenges faced by workers in Nigeria. Rising inflation and the cost of living have significantly impacted the purchasing power of the average Nigerian worker. The current minimum wage, set in 2019 at N30,000, is considered insufficient by many to meet basic needs.
Labour unions argue that a substantial increase is necessary to ensure workers can afford housing, healthcare, education, and other essential services. The proposed N250,000 minimum wage aims to provide a more realistic and sustainable income level for workers in the face of economic adversity.
The ongoing negotiations between the TUC, NLC, and the government highlight the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing workers’ demands. Labour leaders are hopeful that the consultations will yield a consensus that benefits all parties involved, particularly the workers who form the backbone of the nation’s economy.
As the discussions progress, the TUC and NLC continue to advocate for the welfare of Nigerian workers. They stress that a fair and livable wage is not only a matter of economic necessity but also a fundamental right for all workers.
The TUC’s demand for a N250,000 minimum wage reflects the broader struggle for social and economic justice in Nigeria. It underscores the need for policies that promote equitable growth and ensure that the benefits of economic development are shared among all citizens.
In the coming weeks, stakeholders in the minimum wage negotiations will continue their efforts to reach an agreement that addresses the pressing needs of Nigerian workers. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the country’s workforce and its overall economic health.
For now, the TUC and NLC remain steadfast in their commitment to securing a better future for Nigerian workers through the implementation of a fair and adequate minimum wage.
