Organized labor has turned down President Bola Tinubu’s proposal of a ₦25,000 provisional wage increase for low-grade workers, aimed at mitigating the impact of the removal of petrol subsidies.
Additionally, the labor unions have rejected the government’s suggestion of a six-month duration for this provisional wage increment and the ₦15 million Conditional Cash Transfer for vulnerable households.
In a recent nationwide address marking Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, President Tinubu had stated, “Following discussions with labor, business, and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to raise the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. Over the next six months, low-grade workers will receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.”
He also announced, “Starting this month, we are expanding cash transfer programs to include an additional 15 million vulnerable households as part of our social safety net.”
However, during negotiations between organized labor and the Federal Government held at the Permanent Conference Room in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, it was revealed that the labor representatives rejected the ₦25,000 provisional wage and instead demanded that it be set at 100 percent of the current minimum wage.
Furthermore, labor insisted that this provisional wage should apply to all workers and should not have a time limit of just six months but should continue until the new minimum wage is approved next year.
Organized labor also stressed that the Conditional Cash Transfer for the poorest and most vulnerable citizens should be increased to ₦25,000, a substantial increase from the ₦5,000 provided by the previous administration.
Following extensive negotiations, the government delegation, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, accompanied by the Minister of Labor and Employment, Simon Lalong, temporarily adjourned to consult with the President regarding these new demands.
