President Tinubu invites NLC and TUC for minimum wage discussion.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has invited the leaders of Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a meeting on minimum wage.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
A close source in the labour leadership who craved anonymity made this known on Wednesday.
The President is expected to make a decision on the ₦62,000 proposal of the government and private sector side; as well as the ₦250,000 demand of the Organised Labour.
The Thursday meeting is coming about a month after the President said in his Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024, that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage for workers would soon be sent to the National Assembly for passage.
On June 25, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by the President stepped down from consideration and deliberation on the memo on the new minimum wage to allow for more engagement with stakeholders.
Two days after, Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shettima, at the 141st meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), met with governors of the 36 states of the Federation and ministers to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers.
Negotiations for a new minimum wage in Nigeria have been ongoing since the Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which set ₦30,000 as the minimum wage, expired in April 2024. This Act mandates a review every five years to adjust to current economic conditions affecting workers.
In January, President Bola Tinubu established a Tripartite Committee to negotiate a new minimum wage, involving Organised Labour, representatives from federal and state governments, and the Organised Private Sector.
Despite efforts, the committee failed to agree on a new wage, prompting labour to commence an indefinite strike on June 3, 2024. This disrupted operations across airports, hospitals, the national grid, banks, and legislative complexes.
The strike was temporarily suspended on June 4, 2024, following assurances from the President that a wage exceeding ₦60,000 was being considered. Subsequently, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders resumed discussions with government and private sector representatives.
