The Federal Government has proposed a new minimum wage of N54,000, as negotiations resumed with the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage.
This development follows a breakdown in talks last week when the Organised Labour withdrew from the negotiations.
During this week’s reconvened meeting, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, the Federal Government increased its initial offer from N48,000 to N54,000.
Despite this adjustment, the Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), rejected the proposal.
According to a reliable source present at the meeting, the N54,000 offer falls significantly short of the N615,000 demanded by the unions.
The closed-door session on Tuesday was adjourned to continue on Wednesday, May 22.
The Organised Labour has given the Federal Government until the end of May to finalize the new minimum wage agreement.
The NLC and TUC remain firm in their demands for a substantial increase, reflecting the rising cost of living and economic pressures faced by workers.
The unions have also issued directives to their members in states that have not yet implemented the current N30,000 minimum wage to prepare for potential industrial action.
The standoff highlights the significant gap between the government’s proposal and the unions’ demands, suggesting that negotiations may be protracted and contentious.
The Organised Labour’s readiness to strike indicates potential disruptions if an agreement is not reached promptly.
