The meeting held on Thursday between President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) regarding the contentious new minimum wage will continue next week. The session, initiated by President Tinubu, took place at the State House in Abuja.
After the two-hour discussion, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, described the dialogue as a “fruitful” exchange between “father and children.”
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, clarified that the meeting was a discussion, not a negotiation, with no specific figures addressed. “In real sense it wasn’t a negotiation but a discussion and we have had that discussion. We agreed to look at the real terms probably and reconvene in the next one week. So that’s where we are. Because we didn’t go down there to talk naira and kobo. At least there were some basic issues that we agreed on,” Ajaero stated.
Ajaero also emphasized that the status quo remains, with the NLC insisting on N250,000 for the least paid Nigerian worker, as opposed to the N62,000 proposed by the Federal Government. President Tinubu underscored the necessity for improved welfare, better wages, and enhanced working conditions for Nigerian workers, highlighting their role as the driving force of the nation.
Speaking with the NLC leadership, led by Joe Ajaero, and the TUC leadership, led by Comrade Festus Osifo, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing workers’ concerns. “I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And society depends on the productivity of the happy worker,” he stated.
However, the President called for realistic expectations regarding the minimum wage, urging a pragmatic approach. “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalize the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure. Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two? Why not three years? What is a problem today, can be eased up tomorrow.
There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors,” he explained.
The deliberations will resume next week as both parties seek a mutually agreeable resolution to the minimum wage issue.