…As Labour insists on N250,000
…I’m committed to a realistic minimum wage – Tinubu
By Matthew Denis
There was anxiety among Nigerians on the expected outcome of the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Organised labour Unions, however it ended in deadlock yesterday (Thursday).
The meeting ended without clear resolution on the new national minimum wage for workers after an hour-long session, the President, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, informed journalists after the much-anticipated meeting that they did not talk about financial specifics.
NewsDirect Newspaper learned that the meeting has been scheduled for next Thursday for final resolution and pronouncement of the new minimum wage.
Speaking on the development through a release signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Chief Ajuri Ngelale said “Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions as the driving force of the nation.
President Tinubu stressed that he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritising their 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,” the President said.
However, the President called for realistic expectations as regards the minimum wage question, stating: “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalise on 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.”
On his part, the NLC President, Comrade Ajaero, emphasised the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting, “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”
He congratulated the President on the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutional rights of local governments as regards financial autonomy and other salient principles.
“I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy. We have been in the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you,” the NLC President said.
However, when questioned further about whether the meeting had led to a compromise on their demand for a N250,000 minimum wage, Ajaero emphasised that the issue would be covered in a subsequent meeting with President Tinubu.
The TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, who also spoke to the journalists thereafter, mentioned that the Labour leaders met with the President to express their concerns about the hardships Nigerians were enduring.
He said, “Inflation has adversely affected the value of the naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation need to kick in to give citizens relief.”
He maintained that the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses will help in checking the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports will bring down the prices of food items, if properly implemented.
“We commend you on the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgement, we believe Nigeria will make progress,” the TUC President also said.
However, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who facilitated the meeting, stated that the issues discussed were advantageous to both sides.