The federal government on Sunday gave reasons why it cannot meet the demand of labour unions that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000.

The labour unions, NLC, TUC and ULC, have vowed to commence a nationwide strike from Tuesday if government does not meet its demand.

The workers unions accuse the government of going back on a N30,000 decision reached at a tripartite meeting between labour, government, and private employers.

However, the federal government says no agreement was reached at the tripartite meeting and insists on a N24,000 minimum wage, while the state governors say they would only be able to pay N22,500.

On Sunday, the labour unions boycotted a reconciliation meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Speaking with journalist Sunday evening, the SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken to ensure that there was a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues relating to the minimum wage.

Mr Mustapha said that the tripartite committee has been working assiduously though there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with and that was the reason he called for the reconciliation meeting.

“Basically the only outstanding issue that needs to be dealt with is to harmonise the 5th chapter of the report and get the figures in for the purposes of submission to government,” he said.

REASONS WE CAN’T MEET N30,000

The SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari, while inaugurating the tripartite meeting, emphasised the need for a unanimous resolution at the meeting, something that was yet to be agreed to.

“Mr President went further to emphasise that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the country’s economy.

“So it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new minimum wage and the economy,” he said

The SGF quoting Mr Buhari said, “We yearn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian worker but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage”.

He noted that 27 states were having difficulty in paying the current minimum wage of N18,000, while noting that he was not making any excuses for them.

He did not elaborate on why labour unions boycotted the meeting but said the tripartite meeting will continue tomorrow.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personally ensure that Mr President sign immediately on it,” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Esan, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview why his union boycotted the Sunday meeting.

“We (NLC) are not aware of any meeting with the SGF over any matter. A government that gets an injunction against us without putting us on notice until we heard from the press has shown enough bad faith.

“Even if we were aware, we would not be interested to attend any meeting. The meeting we are aware of, which we are going to attend, is the tripartite committee meeting tomorrow in Abuja. That’s the one we plan to attend. That is the official position,” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/minimum-wage-why-we-cant-meet-labours.html

This is a big lesson to all Nigerians
The same people you voted for, risk your life for, sacrifice time for to campaign doesn't value you anymore .

Watch out many of them are still coming your way to seek for second term in office

But you can dish out $500'000 to another Country.....
Which way Nigeria??

They aren't serious. #30000 or nothing, reduce the bogus NASS budgets, reduce the bogus Aso Rock budgets and reduce budget padding and padding of contracts execution fee then paying 30k as minimum wage shouldn't be a problem.

Since U know U had no intention to meet their demands why did U come out to claim an agreement was reached? Despite claiming to have deliberated and consulted with dem and other stakeholders for months? Dis propaganda U ppl wanted to play with Nigerian workers don hook una for throat.. D money U claimed U would save from subsidy removal use it to pay dem since U didn't build or renovate d refineries U were supposed to use it for

All the best

It's so disgusting to read these guys complain about the FG's ability to pay a paltry sum of less than 100 $ as minimum wage in a country where the humongous allowances shared by the state legislatures and National Assembly remain unjustifiable and unrivalled anywhere else in the world.

What sort of evil people do we have at the helms in God's name. I know for a certain that the budget of the SGF's office alone can conveniently cater to 5000 or more of these poor workers.

This country's constitution as it is presently set up to serve these thieves and their cronies, needs to be taken apart and redrawn. It was all obviously set up from the word go to humiliate and punish the poor citizens.

Na God go punish our collective enemies one by one.

Make we hear word joor

All the monies they are looting nko?

Things have to change. A labourer deserves fair wages.
Planning to buy a car? Customized accident/flood VIN history reports for car buyers and owners in signature.

But they can allocate huge salaries to themselves. People suffering and smiling in Nigeria.
Who have offended.

This is bad

Just #30,000 is causing problem in Naija

Those are not excuses.. but you can renovate the government's lodge with 245mill

Dis is terrible.... Ordinary 30k dey cnt afford to pay yet dose stupid governors go home with fat salaries nd bonuses every month

Propaganda will be the end of this government. Imagine them calling for such a crucial meeting only through the media. Why not invite labor through the right and formal protocol?
This government is the least sincere to the Nigerian people. Abacha and IBB never lied to us this bad

12Ebisco:
The federal government on Sunday gave reasons why it cannot meet the demand of labour unions that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000.

The labour unions, NLC, TUC and ULC, have vowed to commence a nationwide strike from Tuesday if government does not meet its demand.

The workers unions accuse the government of going back on a N30,000 decision reached at a tripartite meeting between labour, government, and private employers.

However, the federal government says no agreement was reached at the tripartite meeting and insists on a N24,000 minimum wage, while the state governors say they would only be able to pay N22,500.

On Sunday, the labour unions boycotted a reconciliation meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Speaking with journalist Sunday evening, the SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken to ensure that there was a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues relating to the minimum wage.

Mr Mustapha said that the tripartite committee has been working assiduously though there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with and that was the reason he called for the reconciliation meeting.

“Basically the only outstanding issue that needs to be dealt with is to harmonise the 5th chapter of the report and get the figures in for the purposes of submission to government,” he said.

REASONS WE CAN’T MEET N30,000

The SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari, while inaugurating the tripartite meeting, emphasised the need for a unanimous resolution at the meeting, something that was yet to be agreed to.

“Mr President went further to emphasise that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the country’s economy.

“So it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new minimum wage and the economy,” he said

The SGF quoting Mr Buhari said, “We yearn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian worker but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage”.

He noted that 27 states were having difficulty in paying the current minimum wage of N18,000, while noting that he was not making any excuses for them.

He did not elaborate on why labour unions boycotted the meeting but said the tripartite meeting will continue tomorrow.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personally ensure that Mr President sign immediately on it,” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Esan, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview why his union boycotted the Sunday meeting.

“We (NLC) are not aware of any meeting with the SGF over any matter. A government that gets an injunction against us without putting us on notice until we heard from the press has shown enough bad faith.

“Even if we were aware, we would not be interested to attend any meeting. The meeting we are aware of, which we are going to attend, is the tripartite committee meeting tomorrow in Abuja. That’s the one we plan to attend. That is the official position,” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/minimum-wage-why-we-cant-meet-labours.html

you cant afford a meagre N30,000 yet can afford to embezzle our treasury

labour should pepper government very well they can't consent to paying workers a meagre 30k but they can carve out large chunks of amounts as salary and allowances for themselves.....buffons!! It's 30k or no votes

But senators and rep members fit earn more than 20 million naira as salary every month, foolish people.

Yet still they have plenty money to buy Toyota SUVs eh?
Giving out lots of cash as charities abi?
.
OK na, the strike continues!!! Let's go there

Reduce all those your exorbitant salaries and you will be able to pay... Lass lass you in guys are bunch of greedy fuuuucccccckers

Time to rest just make it a week and if it is to send ur children or ur woman friends overseas for holiday u will see money to do dat abi

If senators and reps can be paid millions.
Then they should just pay this workers their demanding fee 30000

You all should stop being sentimental. If minimum wage increases, all other wages too increase. Those earning 100k before will earn like 120k. This government that is presently borrowing to meet up to expenses, you want to stress above its limits?
For those criticizing me, how much do you pay your maids, cooks and domestic workers. Thats if you have one.

All these politicians irrespective of their parties are scam artists

It is not by force to lead, they can't provide better remuneration for the workforce but can continuously flaunt nauseating largesse from the common wealth

A little Matths: as at 2015, the minimum wage was 18k, & dollar exchange was average N180. That means Nigerians were receiving $100 as minimum wage. Fast forward to 2018, de minimum wage is still 18k, & de exchange rate is N360 average. That means, Nigerians are receiving $50 as minimum wage. Going by de calculation, de minimum wage should be N36k+ periodic variation of at least 20%. That is de total minimum wage should be N43200. Our govt is a fraud!

kingthreat:
You all should stop being sentimental. If minimum wage increases, all other wages too increase. Those earning 100k before will earn like 120k. This government that is presently borrowing to meet up to expenses, you want to stress above its limits?
For those criticizing me, how much do you pay your maids, cooks and domestic workers. Thats if you have one.

Nobody has even criticized you ... or you already know you typed trash.

Buhari promised to cut wasteful spending, but he has failed

Dumb FG

But you can embezzle billions

ASUU has started her strike

Cut down the spending by government and increase minimum wage government are not the only ones that should benefit from oil explorations let the common man enjoy it too ... cut down on government spending and they will be able to afford even 40000 minimum wage