In a significant development concerning the national minimum wage, the Nigerian Government has extended an invitation to organized Labour for further negotiations.
The engagement, facilitated by a formal communication from the committee chair with the endorsement of the NSIWC chairman, is scheduled for the forthcoming Friday. A source close to the matter indicated Labour’s intention to participate, stating an openness to reconsideration, “If they present a better offer on Friday we will accept it.”
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This meeting emerges after a stalemate where Labour declined the government’s previous proposal of N60,000, subsequently revising its own demand down marginally from N497,000 to N494,000.
Commemorating International Workers’ Day, both the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria crystallized a negotiation deadline for May 31, 2024. The ultimatum underscores Labour’s determination for a conclusive wage resolution by month’s end, as reiterated by TUC President Festus Osifo: “We are sticking to that ultimatum,” with a pointed caveat hinting at potential industrial action should negotiations falter.