Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun Chapter, announced that joint labour unions have agreed to enforce the new ₦70,000 minimum wage across all states. Any state that fails to comply will face a shutdown.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Osogbo, Arapasopo stated that the unions agreed on the new minimum wage to prevent a hike in fuel pump prices.
He noted that during the NLC’s NEC meeting, all members agreed to enforce the minimum wage in all states, and any non-compliant state would be shut down.
“The governors cannot claim ignorance, as they were the ones advocating for ₦70,000 as the minimum wage,” Arapasopo said. “Labour initially suggested ₦250,000, but it was negotiated down to ₦62,000 and finally settled at ₦70,000, which we accepted as a significant compromise.”
Arapasopo emphasized that any government or governor failing to pay the new minimum wage will face a shutdown, stating, “It is a must for them to pay. This is non-negotiable.”
He explained that the NEC meeting, held just hours before, saw all state representatives adopt the ₦70,000 minimum wage based on agreed facts. He cited the President’s warning that insisting on ₦250,000 would necessitate an increase in fuel prices.
“As responsible citizens, we believe our demands should not only benefit a particular sector. By accepting ₦70,000, we aim to prevent an increase in fuel prices, which would have broader economic consequences,” Arapasopo said.
He added that if the union had insisted on the ₦250,000 minimum wage, it would lead to increased fuel prices and inflation, adversely affecting both workers and the general populace.
Arapasopo concluded that the ₦70,000 wage, while a compromise, is fair as it sets the baseline salary for workers in the lowest cadre. He also mentioned that consequential adjustments and benefits would further increase wages upon implementation. He assured that the Osun chapter of the union would meet with the state government to discuss additional allowances, while maintaining that the minimum wage is non-negotiable.
