NLC to negotiate new minimum wage of N100,000, N200,000

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the new minimum wage may be negotiated to N100,000 or N200,000 owing to the rising cost of living.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Ajaero said that the N35,000 wage award recently granted by the Federal Government is not a new minimum wage, but an addition to the current minimum wage of N30,000.

He said that the NLC would be negotiating a new minimum wage in March or April 2024, and that the amount would be determined by factors such as inflation and cost of living.

Ajaero also said that the NLC would not be asking for a minimum wage of N65,000, as this is about $70 which is not up to minimum wage.

“We would go for a realistic amount,” he said.

The NLC President also said that the National Assembly would play a crucial role in getting the new minimum wage approved.

“The minimum wage is a product of law. Until it is legislated in the National Assembly, it is not a minimum wage,” he said.

Recall that the union and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had planned to go on strike on Tuesday owing to the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, they shelved it following a meeting with government authorities in Abuja late Monday.