Minimum Wage: NLC Insists on Two-Week Ultimatum

Nigeria Labour Congress has insisted on its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over rising petrol prices and fresh wage negotiations.

The NLC president, Joe Ajaero stated this on Monday in Abuja. He criticised the implementation of the 2024 minimum wage agreement and called for urgent measures to address the rising cost of living.

Ajaero’s remarks came amid growing tensions between organised labour and the Federal Government over workers’ declining purchasing power, with the labour movement demanding petrol price relief and renewed negotiations on N70,000 minimum wage.

He urged the government to address workers’ hardship proactively rather than wait for strikes or protests to force action.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, however, called for a balance between workers’ legitimate demands for improved remuneration and the government’s fiscal capacity, warning against avoidable industrial disputes.

Ajaero said the government must address the declining purchasing power of workers rather than wait for organised labour to embark on industrial action before introducing measures to ease their hardship.

He said, “I’ve not come here to discuss my ultimatum. My ultimatum stands. I’ve said something about it, and this is not a table. The fact that the permanent secretary is here does not give us the opportunity to start negotiating an ultimatum. He has replied a letter, and we have replied him again. So, we will go into that game.

“But to the head of service, sir, Nigerian workers are really suffering. And if you do something, history and posterity will remember all of us for it.”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.