NLC Laments N200,000 Minimum Wage No Longer Realistic

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC said on Tuesday that the N200,000 minimum wage it earlier proposed to the Federal Government was no longer realistic, considering the country’s current economic situation.

The congress, which spoke through its National Vice President, Tommy Etim, was reacting to Tuesday’s inauguration of the Minimum Wage Committee by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Etim, in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday, emphasised that the congress would base its national minimum wage negotiation on the current economic reality rather than what it earlier proposed.

When our correspondent asked whether there was a minimum figure the congress would take along to the committee, Etim said, “We are not going there with a fixed amount, but definitely not N200,000. By the time we get there, we will decide based on the socio-economic situation. That’s what we are going to base our national minimum wage discussion and negotiation on.”

The Federal Government had earlier charged the 37-man wage committee to hasten its deliberations and submit its recommendations promptly while directing the Ministry of Finance to ensure its adequate funding and calling for collective bargaining in good faith, emphasising contract adherence even as he urged committee members to consult outside their ranks.

With its membership cutting across federal and state governments, the private sector, and the organised labour, the panel is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country.

To guarantee sustainability in all tiers of government, President Bola Tinubu said the committee must pay attention to the ability of all parties to pay the new wage, just as he asked the committee members to ensure the timely completion of their assignment