The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a stern warning of a potential strike due to delays in constituting a committee to discuss the new minimum wage for public sector workers.
The Federal Government's
procrastination in appointing its representatives to the committee has raised
concerns, especially as labor unions are ready to initiate negotiations.
Amidst rising frustrations
among workers grappling with the escalating cost of living, exacerbated by the
removal of the fuel subsidy, concerns have mounted over rampant inflation
affecting the prices of goods and services.
In June 2023, a group of
workers and labor leaders advocated for a significant increase in the minimum
wage, initially proposing N250,000 before adjusting it to N200,000, citing the
challenging economic situation.
Juxtaposed against these
economic challenges, Joke Silva, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria
Labour Congress, shared the plight of workers struggling with rent, school
fees, and a 300% surge in transportation costs.
Despite President Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu's assurance of prioritizing Nigerians' living conditions and reviewing
the national minimum wage to reflect current economic realities, the hardship
persists.
The last minimum wage revision
occurred on April 18, 2019, raising it from N18,000 to N30,000. However,
implementation remains uneven across states, with some yet to comply.
Tommy Etuk, Deputy President of
the TUC, expressed impatience, emphasizing the need for a new minimum wage
expected by April 2024. The TUC and other labor organizations have appointed
representatives for the National Minimum Wage Review Committee, tasked with
overseeing negotiations.
Etuk highlighted the urgency
for the Federal Government to inaugurate the committee, stating, "April is
around the corner, and if things are not done this January, things might get
out of hand."
Negotiations for a living wage
have also commenced across states due to the removal of the fuel subsidy. Etuk
urged state labor unions to engage their respective governments, while stressing
the Federal Government's responsibility to honor the N35,000 wage award.
As the situation unfolds, the
possibility of a strike looms large, emphasizing the need for swift and
proactive measures to address the concerns of Nigerian workers.
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