New Minimum Wage May Be Negotiated To N100, 000 Or N200,000 – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the new minimum wage may be negotiated to N100,000 or N200,000 owing to the rising cost of living.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero made this known while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He also said the N35,000 wage award which of part government’s offers to suspend the strike is not a new minimum wage which he said may be up to N200,000.

Osun Defender reports that NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had planned to go on strike on Tuesday owing to the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

They however shelved it following a meeting with government authorities in Abuja late Monday with NLC President Joe Ajaero saying the move was to give the government time to fulfill its part of the agreement reached with organised labour,

He said, “So, it is not a minimum wage but it is a wage added to the minimum wage. So, should we in March, April, or before that time negotiate the new wage to be N100,000 or N200,000, it would be inscribed as minimum wage law which should be the law in existence.

“Certain things would come into play when we discuss it – inflation, cost of living. Every other thing would come into it.

“We would not go to ask for N65,000. We would go for a realistic amount because N65,000 is about $70 which is not up to minimum wage.”

According to him, for a new minimum wage to take effect, the National Assembly will play a crucial role.

“The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage.”

• Kazeem Badmus