The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that new minimum wage of N100,000 or N200,000 will be negotiated with federal government before March 2024.
The labour union president, Joe Ajaero said that this is necessary due to the rising cost of living.
Ajaero said that the N35,000 wage award that is part of the offer from government is not the new minimum wage which he said may be up to N200,000.
“So, it is not a minimum wage but it is a wage added to the minimum wage. So, should we in March, April, or before that time negotiate the new wage to be N100,000 or N200,000, it would be inscribed as minimum wage law which should be the law in existence.’’
Maintaining that the N35,000 wage award is not an addition to the country’s minimum wage of N30,000, Ajaero said that many factors would be considered in arriving at a new minimum wage.
“Certain things would come into play when we discuss it – inflation, cost of living. Every other thing would come into it,”
“We would not go to ask for N65,000. We would go for a realistic amount because N65,000 is about $70 which is not up to minimum wage.”
According to NLC president, for a new minimum wage to take effect, the National Assembly will play a crucial role.
“The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage,” he said.
