Labour Rejects Tinubu's Claim on National Minimum Wage Agreement
The Organised Labour has rebuffed President Bola Tinubu's assertions regarding the supposed agreement on new national minimum wages, as mentioned in his Democracy Day broadcast. According to Labour, as of June 7, no agreement had been reached by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage.
The dispute revolves around two proposed figures: N250,000 from Labour and N62,000 from the Government and Organised Private Sector (OPS). These figures were deliberated upon but had not been officially submitted to the President for consideration.
Labour, through Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Acting President Prince Adewale Adeyanju, emphasized that any claim suggesting an agreement had been reached was misleading and unacceptable. They clarified that their demand remained at N250,000 and that no compelling reasons had been presented to alter this stance.
Furthermore, the NLC expressed disappointment at what they viewed as misrepresentation of facts, highlighting instances where union leaders were allegedly intimidated and harassed during negotiations. They stressed the need for the President to base his decisions on accurate information and not succumb to pressure that might undermine workers' welfare.
On the other hand, the Federal Government urged Labour to be realistic in their wage demands, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable wage system that does not harm the economy or lead to mass retrenchment. They highlighted initiatives like the Presidential CNG initiative as part of efforts to alleviate the cost of living for Nigerians, in addition to potential wage increases.
The ongoing dialogue between Labour and the Government underscores the complex interplay between wage adjustments, economic stability, and broader welfare concerns affecting millions of Nigerians.
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