The Nigeria Labour Congress has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s call for a review of minimum wage.
The Congress on Monday night highlighted in the statement that it was “open knowledge” that the law’s mandated minimum wage review would start in 2024. Additionally, the Tinubu government was accused by the Congress of failing to cooperate with and engage in conversation with organised labour.
The statement, issued by the national president, Joe Ajaero, states:
“Labour is disturbed that while President Tinubu in his speech lavishly praised the Private Sector for quickly dispensing wage award to their employees, the Federal Government has failed to do the same for public workers in its employment. This is a clear case of failing woefully to live up to the standards it has set for others to meet.
“It is open knowledge that the review of the national minimum wage is a matter of the law which is expected to happen in 2024. How would Nigerian workers cope with the current reality of hyperinflation and suffering unleashed by the hasty removal of the so-called petrol subsidy till 2024 when the national minimum wage would be reviewed? This is incredible!”
Speaking further on the negotiations so far, Ajaero said, “Organised Labour has been forced to negotiate with empty chairs on the Federal Government’s side as the Federal Government has not matched its public promises with firm commitment to negotiate in good faith with labour. As a matter of fact, the sub-committee on wage award has not been inaugurated and has not met.”
cc: Punch Ng
