The Labour Party in Nigeria has urged workers’ unions to enter into new negotiations with the government concerning a revised minimum wage, rather than proceeding with industrial action.
Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, made this appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos State.
Ifoh emphasized that striking was not a viable solution, as it would only lead to increased hardship and suffering.“Our immediate response is that organized labour should avoid causing further difficulties for Nigerians,” he stated. “The populace is already facing numerous challenges, and we should not worsen the situation. The demand for a ₦494,000 minimum wage is not feasible. It’s an amount that cannot be sustained, as it would require Nigeria to allocate all its resources to pay civil servants.”
Ifoh advocated for continued dialogue between the labour unions and the Federal Government to reach a mutually acceptable figure.“Negotiations should persist until a better agreement is achieved. Advising Nigerian workers to strike will disrupt everything, including the cost of living, which Nigerians cannot afford at this time,” he added.
He further remarked that negotiations are ongoing processes. “If the Federal Government is unwilling to exceed a ₦60,000 minimum wage, organized labour should work with the available offer while continuing negotiations. We acknowledge that this government is still finding its footing,” Ifoh said.
The Labour Party stands against actions that could exacerbate public hardship.Ifoh’s comments were in response to the nationwide strike declared by organized labour over their demand for a new minimum wage.
Despite earlier appeals from the Federal Government for leniency, the organized labour unions commenced an indefinite strike on Monday to advocate for a new national minimum wage for workers.The strike followed a series of failed negotiations involving the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, and government representatives.
On May 28, labour representatives walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from ₦57,000 to ₦60,000. Initially, the government and the Organised Private Sector had proposed ₦48,000, then ₦54,000, and subsequently ₦57,000, all of which were rejected by labour.
The organized labour unions had initially demanded a new minimum wage of ₦615,000, later reducing it to ₦497,000, and finally to ₦494,000 to account for the current rising cost of living.
