Negotiations over a new national minimum wage hit a snag yesterday after state governors failed to attend a crucial meeting. This absence, according to Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo, has forced the postponement of further discussions.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, was expected to see progress on the minimum wage issue. The federal government had reportedly proposed a new minimum wage of N54,000 ($120 USD), an increase from the previously proposed N48,000 ($107 USD). However, the TUC has rejected both offers, arguing they fall short of what Nigerian workers need.
Osifo attributed the postponement to the lack of representation from the state governors. “The governors are members of the tripartite committee on the New National Minimum Wage,” he stated. “Their absence and the lack of mandate by some representatives who attended stalled progress.” He urged the governors to attend the rescheduled meeting today, emphasizing, “The Nigerian workers are waiting for the outcome of this conversation.”
The TUC President also reiterated the union’s stance on the proposed N54,000 minimum wage. “We are ready to move forward with the talks,” Osifo declared, “but not with the N54,000 they have presented to us.”
With the governors’ absence and the TUC’s rejection of the current offer, the path towards a new minimum wage remains unclear. Nigerians wait anxiously to see if today’s rescheduled meeting will yield a breakthrough or lead to further delays and potential industrial action.
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