Minimum Wage: FG, Labour Head For Showdown Over N62,000 Offer

The Federal Government and labour unions are on a collision course over the proposed new minimum wage. The government has offered to increase the minimum wage to N62,000, but labour unions have rejected the offer, insisting on a minimum wage of N250,000.

The labour unions had initially demanded a minimum wage of N494,000, but reduced it to N250,000 after negotiations with the government. However, the government has insisted that it cannot afford to pay more than N62,000, citing economic constraints.

The Chairman of the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, Goni Aji, said that the government’s offer was the result of a “very deep dialogue and consensus reached at the Tripartite level.” However, labour leaders have described the offer as “unacceptable” and “a starvation wage.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to reject any minimum wage that is below N250,000, and has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the government does not meet its demands.

The standoff between the government and labour unions has raised concerns about the potential impact on the economy and the welfare of workers. The government has urged labour unions to consider the economic realities and the ability of employers to pay the proposed minimum wage.

The dispute has also highlighted the challenges facing workers in Nigeria, who are struggling to make ends meet due to the high cost of living and the erosion of the value of their salaries. The government’s offer of N62,000 is seen as inadequate by many workers, who feel that it does not reflect the true value of their labour.