by My Engineers
Leaders of the organised labour, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have confirmed their acceptance of the N70,000 minimum wage offered by the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government. This just as the president has promised to assist states and private sector organizations to pay the newly approved wage.
Speaking after a crucial meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, announced the unions’ decision to accept the offer.
Flanked by Comrade Festus Usifo, President of the TUC, and other representatives of Nigerian workers, Ajaero pointed out that the unions agreed to the offer due to the additional incentives attached.
He noted that a significant factor in their decision was the President’s promise to review the minimum wage every three years, a departure from previous practices.
Meanwhile Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the president has promised to assist states and private sector organizations to pay the newly approved wage.
Earlier, President Tinubu’s administration announced a N70,000 minimum wage after a meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
Tinubu also pledged to review the country’s minimum wage every three years up from five years.
According to the statement, the President said he would use his discretionary power to resolve the non-payment of four months’ salaries of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers with a promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years.
“President Tinubu also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage.
“The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries,” the statement said.
Recall that there has been an impasse between the Federal Government and workers over a new minimum wage.
The labour leaders had initially demanded a minimum wage of no less than N250,000. However, the agreed amount, coupled with the promise of periodic reviews, persuaded the unions to accept the N70,000 offer.