The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday disclosed that the new minimum wage might be negotiated to either N100,000 or N200,000 or in between.
The announcement came after NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shelved thier planned strike scheduled for October 3, after meeting with officials of the Federal Government.
The organised labour had planned to shut down the country owing to the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, disclosed that the strike was suspended to allow the federal government to fulfil its part of the agreement reached with organised labour.
He further stated that the N35,000 wage award, which was part of the government’s offerings, was not the new minimum wage, which he said might be up to N200,000 bug not below N100,000.
Ajaero, speaking on Channels TV, said, “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.
“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 him, for a new minimum wage to take effect, the National Assembly will play a crucial role.
Ajaero added, “The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated on in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage.”
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