Labour Vows To Reject ₦100,000 ‘Starvation Wage’, May Resume Strike Tuesday

 

The Organised Labour in Nigeria has reaffirmed its stance against what it terms as a "starvation wage" proposed by the government, stating that it will not settle for anything less than ₦250,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.Chris Onyeka, an Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reiterated this position during an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief show on Monday. He emphasized that Labour would not accept the government's latest offer of ₦62,000 or even the ₦100,000 proposal put forward by some individuals and economists."We have never considered accepting ₦62,000 or any other wage that we know is below what we know is able to take Nigerian workers home. We will not negotiate a starvation wage," Onyeka stated firmly. He explained that Labour's demand of ₦250,000 reflects the realistic cost of living for an average Nigerian worker.Regarding the deadline for government action on their demands, Onyeka pointed out that the one-week grace period given to the Federal Government would expire at midnight on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He emphasized that if the government fails to respond to Labour's demands by then, the organs of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) would convene to decide on the resumption of the nationwide industrial action previously relaxed.Onyeka clarified that Labour's decision to relax the strike was akin to putting it on pause, and if the government does not meet their demands, the pause would be lifted. This indicates a potential return to the indefinite strike that was temporarily suspended.Despite ongoing talks between Labour and the government, which resumed after the deadlock on Friday, June 7, 2024, no agreement has been reached. While Labour has reduced its demand from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000, the government has only offered an increase from ₦60,000 to ₦62,000.Both parties have submitted their reports to President, who is expected to make a decision and send an executive bill to the National Assembly for the passage of a new minimum wage bill. However, Labour remains resolute in its position, unwilling to compromise on what it perceives as a just wage for Nigerian workers.