In the ongoing negotiations for a new national minimum wage, the labour union has tabled a proposal for a minimum wage of $300, equivalent to 436,500 naira, for Nigerian workers.
The suggestion was put forward by Comrade Benjamin Anthony, Chairman of the Trade Union Side at the Joint Meeting of the National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), during the 2024 meetings held in Goshen City, Nasarawa State.
The union justified its demand by highlighting the erosion of the current minimum wage of 30,000 naira due to the high exchange rate and the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy, contributing to the escalating cost of living in the country.
Comrade Anthony expressed concern over recent delays in salary payments by the Federal Government, emphasizing the need to halt this trend to prevent further hardships for the already burdened populace.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, voiced concerns that many governors on the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage are not adhering to the proposed base pay structure.
This comes after Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the committee, emphasizing the aim of ensuring a decent living wage in compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which is set to expire in a few months.