The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have jointly proposed and presented N56,000 as the new minimum wage to the Federal Government as against the present N18,000.
The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Wabba said that both the NLC and the TUC made the formal demand on the proposed national minimum wage to the Federal Government on Tuesday.

“I can say now authoritatively that as of yesterday( Tuesday) we made a formal proposal to the Federal Government of N56,000 to be the new minimum wage.

“The demand has been submitted officially to government and we hope that the tripartite system to look at the review will actually be put set up to look at it.

“Our argument is that, yes, it is true that the economy is not doing well, but the law stated that wages for workers must be review after every five years.

“So, the issue must be looked into by the Federal Government and workers should not be seen as sleeping on their rights, ”he said.

Wabba recalled that the last review of the national minimum wage was done in 2011 and that the setting up of a tripartite committee to review the newly proposed national minimum wage was long overdue.

He said it was imperative that government should set up the tripartite committee for the review of the new minimum wage.

Wabba said this was the only way the representatives of unions and government would fashion out the negotiation process at a round table.

According to him, the logic behind the new minimum wage is to ensure that no worker earns below what can sustain him or her for a period of 30 days.

“You also know that when we negotiated the N18, 000 minimum wage, the value in terms of exchange rate at that time was almost at N110 to the dollar.

“But as at today, the value of the naira to the dollar has been reduced; and there are the issues of inflation and purchasing power, among others to contend with.

“So, it also about the law of the review of the wage, the law envisaged that within a circle of five years, there must be a review, ”Wabba said.

Wabba called on the Government to ensure that the issue of the national minimum wage was urgently taken on board as way of fighting corruption in the country.

He said that if employers failed to cater for their workers’ welfare adequately, it would be difficult for such an employer to fight corruption.

The NLC president said that workers needed to be empowered financially to have the purchasing power to buy what they would need to survive.

“If manufacturers are producing and nobody is buying, the economy will be at a standstill because people lack the purchasing power to buy.

“So, these are some of the issues we will be pushing forward at the negotiation table and there must be a tripartite committee to look at the challenges, ”he said.

http://m.guardian.ng/news/nlc-tuc-propose-n56000-as-new-national-minimum-wage-to-fg/

In as much as I support any move to improve workers' living conditions, I think it's time we faced reality.

The first thing NLC, TUC and other pressure groups need to be fighting day and night for is to force the political elites, especially the NASS members to reduce their pay. It's not enough to condemn and criticize their allowances and other benefits online without backing it up with serious protests. Once we're able to force the politicians to reduce their benefits to around 40% of what they get now, and with the war on corruption being fought with the unrivaled zeal we see now, soon, politics will become unattractive.

I also have issue against collective bargaining strategy of these labour bodies. Why don't we allow each state's union body to agree with their respective govt on what the realistic minimum wage for the state will be? I believe that's the only sensible thing to do.

Lastly, if we're to be sincere with ourselves, I don't see how the current economic situation can support increase in minimum wage considering that our earnings have seriously reduced. Besides, increase in minimum wage benefit those at the top rung of the ladder most. The workers who actually need the minimum wage the most (messengers, cleaners, drivers, etc) don't benefit as much as the top guns.

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Jazzlite:
Silly NLC where have they been throughout fuel scarcity, where were they when PMB grounded the Nigerian economy by not appointing ministers for over 5months! Despite that he is a stark illiterate! Where have they been in this Fulani terrorism? A selfish self serving organisation. They should be ignored. 56k at a time we are in recession? what have they done for the dying Osun workers?

[/s]
Hypertension doesn't discriminate on age or sex. Be warned!

Silly NLC where have they been throughout fuel scarcity, where were they when PMB grounded the Nigerian economy by not appointing ministers for over 5months! Despite that he is a stark illiterate! Where have they been in this Fulani terrorism? A selfish self serving organisation. They should be ignored. 56k at a time we are in recession? what have they done for the dying Osun workers?

where's the money to pay? when States are seeking for bailout.

If buhari do this one, I go turn to Om*nka for Nairaland.

They should have done this long ago. Now the government is going to have to perfect excuse: no money.

eagleeye2:
where's the money to pay? when States are seeking for bailout.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/nigerian-lawmakers-are-the-highest-paid-in-the-world/

...
A senator in Nigeria earns 240 million naira (about 1.7 million US dollars) in salaries and allowances and a member of the House of Representatives earns 204 million naira (about 1.45million US dollars) per annum. It definitely rubs insult to injury for the average Civil servant who earns about 46 to 120 US dollars per month...

If they have millions and billions to spend on less than 500 people they must also have 56,000 on a common man...we have been warning them - them no dey hear!

Oga did i hear you say great should the federal govt implement this it will lead to Inflation of the highest order. Am just tired of this country walahi...

Good move, but I will suggest #36k.
Oil price has crashed, but if the minimum wage is adjusted upward as bn suggested, govt may downsize its workforce

Good, at least to make everything balance due to the current inflation

Mumu nlc when almost all nigerian states find it difficult to pay 18k you are proposing 56k. keep dulling your selves

I merely thought this labour groups were nonexistent. Where have they been all this while that poverty almost struck the workforce to physical oblivion? Anyways its a nice move and their right. Now, the Presidency over to you.

we will NOT support them.... we don't want more money but more value for our money....No to 250/liter of PMS... No to electricity tarrif increment, no to land use charge, no to VAT increment to 10%, Oga no go geh hypertension on top ma matter o

DropShot:
In as much as I support any move to improve workers' living conditions, I think it's time we faced reality.

The first thing NLC, TUC and other pressure groups need to be fighting day and night for is to force the political elites, especially the NASS members to reduce their pay. It's not enough to condemn and criticize their allowances and other benefits online without backing it up with serious protests. Once we're able to force the politicians to reduce their benefits to around 40% of what they get now, and with the war on corruption being fought with the unrivaled zeal we see now, soon, politics will become unattractive.

I also have issue against collective bargaining strategy of these labour bodies. Why don't we allow each state's union body to agree with their respective govt on what the realistic minimum wage for the state will be? I believe that's the only sensible thing to do.

Lastly, if we're to be sincere with ourselves, I don't see how the current economic situation can support increase in minimum wage considering that our earnings have seriously reduced. Besides, increase in minimum wage benefit those at the top rung of the ladder most. The workers who actually need the minimum wage the most (messengers, cleaners, drivers, etc) don't benefit as much as the top guns.

[s][/s]
Hypertension doesn't discriminate on age or sex. Be warned!

With over $300 billion so far recovered, Buhari administration can logically afford to pay such minimum wage now. Other bodies should also follow suit and demand their rights. All these declared billions is too huge not to serve the collective good.

So the supposed 'law' go produce d money wey dem go useee pay..... delusion everywia

Haba even as opposition make I talk true here.

With the recent fall in oil prices how do you expect the federal government to increase its minimum wage from 18,000 to 56,000...

It's not realistic Biko

Jazzlite:
Silly NLC where have they been throughout fuel scarcity, where were they when PMB grounded the Nigerian economy by not appointing ministers for over 5months! Despite that he is a stark illiterate! Where have they been in this Fulani terrorism? A selfish self serving organisation. They should be ignored. 56k at a time we are in recession? what have they done for the dying Osun workers?

What recession? when over $300 billion is flying around and over 3 trillion Naira idling away inside TSA? NLC is being just! how can such huge amount be flying around without inviting the workforce to have a piece of the action? is it only the executive and legislature that knows how to fly private jets and ride jeeps?

Nlc wants aregbe and rochas to faint ni?
Truth is What NLC is asking for is not feasible...
Govt wey deny their campaign promises, Na them go pay N50,000+?
Una never see anything yet, na movie synopsis una still dey read?
It should be gradual, I think a 50% increase is very feasible ;18k+9k...

rubbish

SamuelAnyawu:
Haba even as opposition make I talk true here.

With the recent fall in oil prices how do you expect the federal government to increase its minimum wage from 18,000 to 56,000...

It's not realistic Biko

Fall in oil price while senators are buying jeeps and Buhari 16 year old daughter paying 2 million for first class tickets to UK to go and see her boyfriend? You expect the workforce to live on 18k? The workforce of Nigerian economy deserves more than what they are currently demanding.

SleekAboki:

Fall in oil price while senators are buying jeeps and Buhari 16 year old daughter paying 2 million for first class tickets to UK to go and see her boyfriend? You expect the workforce to live on 18k? The workforce of Nigerian economy deserves more than what they are currently demanding.

Bro I understand and i want good packages for government workers also...but sincerely 56000 is not realistic to me for now. 40,000 looks more realistic

SamuelAnyawu:


Bro I understand and i want good packages for government workers also...but sincerely 56000 is not realistic to me for now. 40,000 looks more realistic

It would be negotiated to 30-40k. But they deserve better.

Ah don't even know wat to say!!

B

k

I think that's a reasonable figure when you consider we have some people collecting millions every month.

56,000 gini?
But NLC should be realistic na!

Truth be told, Nigeria needs to be grateful to GEJ for implementing an increase in workers salaries. That said I wana ask dis question. Is this increment for all workers or just those at d bottom who r paid peanuts? Or u also want to increase that of those in level 10 n above?. If its d former then its a call in the right direction.

Good

These people should be sincere to themselves

States are finding it difficult paying 18,000 NGN minimum wage, now NLC is talking about 56,000 NGN.

This old men should get serious.

Jokers.

Nice