Tripartite Committee Postpones Meeting
The tripartite committee on minimum wage has indefinitely postponed its meeting, a source in Abuja confirmed on Tuesday.
Government Proposes Increased Minimum Wage
On Tuesday, the Federal Government proposed an increase in the minimum wage, raising the initial offer by N3,000 to N60,000. This proposal was made during the tripartite committee meeting in Abuja. In response, organised labour, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reduced their previous demand by N3,000, lowering it to N494,000.
Labour’s Stance on Government’s Offer
While the government proposed N60,000, the Labour refused to accept that, demanding and insisting on its N494,000, which was based on the current situation of the nation’s economy. A key NLC leader disclosed that the meeting concluded in a stalemate, leading to its indefinite adjournment. He stated, “The government proposed N60,000, which was not accepted by Labour.”
Negotiation Dynamics
Before the meeting, a Labour representative emphasised the conditional nature of their proposals. “If the government proposes a higher amount, we are willing to lower our demands,” he explained. Labour unions have internal discussions to ensure a unified stance during negotiations, aiming for a middle ground if the government makes a reasonable offer.
Deadline for Minimum Wage Announcement
Labour had previously set a deadline of May 31, 2024, for the announcement of the new minimum wage. However, with the indefinite postponement, this deadline now seems unlikely to be met.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The indefinite postponement highlights the ongoing challenges in reaching an agreement on the minimum wage. Both the government and Labour unions must continue negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution.
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