Tinubu’s Govt Offers N62,000 As New Minimum Wage, NLC/TUC’s Fresh Proposal Surfaces

• The tripartite committee's meeting on the new national minimum wage has ended in Abuja, the federal capital territory
• The federal government and the organised private sector agreed to pay N62,000 as the new minimum wage
• On the other hand, organised labour proposed N250,000 as the minimum wage — stepping down their N494,000 demand

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering governance and public journalism.

FCT, Abuja - The Bola Tinubu-led administration has increased its offer for the new minimum wage to N62,000 from the earlier N60,000.

As reported on Friday night, June 7, by Channels Television, this update follows several hours of meeting.

Per The Nation, the figure was confirmed by Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, the chairman of the progressive governors forum (PGF) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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250k minimum wage: PDP chief lists 4 requests NLC, TUC should make to Tinubu's govt

Festus Osifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), was said to have also confirmed the figure offered by the FG.

Also present at the meeting are the head of the civil service of the federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan; minister of state for labour and employment, Nkieruka Onyejeocha; minister of budget and national planning; Senator Abubakar Bagudu; and the minister of finance, Wale Edun, among others.

Minimum wage: NLC/TUC steps down N494K demand

Meanwhile — Nigeria's two biggest union federations, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC — are proposing N250,000, a shift from its earlier N494,000.

Osifo who spoke on behalf of organised labour maintained that the federal government must consider the plight of workers and the cost of living.

Bukar Goni Aji, a former head of the civil service of the federation and incumbent chairperson of the tripartite committee on national new minimum wage, stated that the two recommendations would be sent to President Tinubu for action.

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Labour may resume strike as top official speaks on imminent meeting over minimum wage

Analyst decries minimum wage 'injustice'

Speaking to Legit.ng, a public affairs analyst, Segun Akinleye, expressed his support for the organised labour.

He said the FG "deliberately announced" that the N494,000 demand of the NLC would cost N9.5 trillion from taxpayers' money. Akinleye branded the claim "mischievous".

He said:

"How much does it cost the taxpayers to fund the lifestyles of the lawmakers across the country? The same lawmakers that bought new jeeps? The same lawmakers that still get their various allowances?

"Why must it always be the people, the same taxpayers to suffer? That is what will never sit well with me.

"If the country is broke financially, let our leaders lead by example. Let them cut down on their outrageous allowances. This is the same government with 48 ministers and different ministries and people will not complain.

"Why do they want to keep the people poor? What joy do they derive from it?"

Read also

Shehu Sani explains meaning of N62K new minimum wage proposal

More to read on minimum wage

• Finance minister submits cost implications of minimum wage to Tinubu Thursday
• New minimum wage: Why latest negotiations between FG, organised labour stalled
• FG provides fresh update on minimum wage negotiations, addresses key concerns

Minimum wage: NLC/TUC attacks Akpabio amid negotiations

Legit.ng earlier reported that the organised labour dismissed claims by senate president Godswill Akpabio that its recent nationwide strike over the disputed minimum wage amounted to economic sabotage.

NLC said the true economic saboteurs are those looting national resources — not the labour force.

Source: Legit.ng