THE Federal Government has tabled a proposal to increase the minimum wage to N54,000, following the return of the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage to negotiations after organised Labour withdrew from discussions last week.
The latest round of talks saw the government raise the proposed minimum wage from N48,000 to N54,000.
However, sources reveal that organised Labour, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), rejected this increment, as it falls significantly short of their joint proposal of N615,000.
The meeting which held privately at the Nicon luxury hotel in Abuja today, has been adjourned to May 22 for further discussions.
The NLC and TUC have set a deadline of May 31 for the Federal Government to conclude negotiations on the new minimum wage or face potential industrial action.
Labor disputes have escalated due to the failure of the government to present a universally accepted minimum wage before May 1, Labor Day, with NLC President Joe Ajaero advocating for the N615,000 figure in light of economic challenges exacerbated by increased living costs.
Following the rising cost of living post-fuel subsidy removal, there have been amplified calls for a revised minimum wage, prompting labor leaders to issue a deadline of May 31 for their demands to be met by the government.
