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NLC rules out Tuesday strike, awaits Tinubu’s intervention

The NLC leader strongly criticized the governors, who are part of the Nigerian Governors' Forum, for refusing to pay the proposed minimum wage of N62,000.

Daniel OkejemeJune 10, 2024351

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, says there will be no strike on Tuesday, June 11, but he is only awaiting a decision from President Tinubu regarding the proposed minimum wage increase.

Persecondnews recalls that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended the two-day strike on Tuesday, June 4, and gave the Federal Government a one-week ultimatum to renegotiate the minimum wage.

Speaking at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Ajaero stated that labour does not accept the government and employers’ proposed minimum wage of N62,000.

He affirmed that the labour union remains steadfast in their demand for a minimum wage of N250,000, clarifying that the proposal of a lower figure does not constitute acceptance or agreement but rather a mere suggestion for consideration.

He explained: “The tripartite committee presented two proposals to the President: the government and employers suggested N62,000, while labour advocated for N250,000.

“We are now awaiting the president’s decision. Once the new figure is announced, our National Executive Council (NEC) will convene to discuss and decide on the next course of action.”

The strike is likely to resume on Tuesday after a brief break, marking the end of its one-week suspension.

Ajaero said: “We cannot declare a strike now because the figures are with the President. We will wait for the President’s decision.

“During the tenure of the immediate past president, the figure that was proposed to him was N27,000 by the tripartite committee, but he increased it to N30,000. We are hopeful that this president will do the right thing. The President had noted that the difference between N62,000 and N250,000 is a wide gulf.”

The NLC leader strongly criticized the governors, who are part of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, for refusing to pay the proposed minimum wage of N62,000.

He said: “It’s absurd for any governor to claim they cannot afford it. They can’t have it both ways, demanding decentralization of the minimum wage while enjoying centralized salaries and emoluments.

“Governors who contribute nothing to the national treasury and have meagre internal revenue still receive the same allocation as those whose states generate significant revenue.

“They should decentralize their own salaries first! Governors like Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who is already paying a minimum wage of N70,000, are setting a good example, unlike the lazy ones.”