By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has set its sights on a minimum wage of N200,000 per month due to the rising cost of living as it continues to negotiate with the federal government.
Business Post had reported that the union and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shelved their plans to embark on a strike on Tuesday as a result of the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the President of the NLC, Mr Joe Ajaero, said the decision to suspend the action for 30 days was to give the government time to fulfil its part of the agreement reached with organised labour.
He added that the N35,000 wage announced recently by President Bola Tinubu which was made part of the government’s offers is not a new minimum wage which he said may be up to N200,000.
“So, it is not a minimum wage but it is a wage added to the minimum wage. So, should we in March, April, or before that time negotiate the new wage to be N100,000 or N200,000, it would be inscribed as minimum wage law which should be the law in existence.”
Mr Ajaero said the N35,000 wage, which will be for only six months, is not an addition to the country’s minimum wage of N30,000.
The NLC leader said many factors would be considered in arriving at a new minimum wage.
“Certain things would come into play when we discuss it – inflation, cost of living. Every other thing would come into it,” he added. “We would not go to ask for N65,000. We would go for a realistic amount because N65,000 is about $70 which is not up to minimum wage.”
According to him, for a new minimum wage to take effect, the National Assembly will play a crucial role.
“The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage,” Mr Ajaero argued.
Modupe Gbadeyanka