Organised labour in Nigeria is on the brink of resuming nationwide industrial action after describing the government’s minimum wage proposals as “starvation wages.” The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through its Assistant General Secretary Chris Onyeka, stood firm on its demand for a ₦250,000 minimum wage, outrightly rejecting the ₦62,000 and even ₦100,000 proposals as insufficient for Nigerian workers’ survival.
“Our demands are rooted in the stark realities of today’s economy, not frivolities,” Onyeka stated, underscoring the disconnect between the proposed wages and the living costs for essentials like rice, yam, and garri. This stance comes amidst rising tensions as the deadline set by labour for the government to reconsider its position approaches its expiration on Tuesday, June 11.
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Labour’s discontent initially sparked a nationwide strike last Monday, pausing only for a brief negotiation window after labor leaders and the National Assembly pledged to reevaluate the wage proposal. Despite this, no consensus was reached, with the government standing by its ₦62,000 offer and the Nigeria Governors Forum suggesting a even lower wage of ₦57,000, citing fiscal constraints and the potential for widespread worker layoffs.
As the grace period concludes, organised labour, including both the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), is poised to determine the course of action should the government and legislative arm fail to meet their demands. This development could lead to the resumption of strike actions, casting a shadow over the nation’s economic and social stability.
