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Breaking:Strike Looms Again as Governors Make Decision On New Minimum Wage
Strike Looms Again as Governors Reject ₦60,000 Minimum Wage
The Nigerian Governors‘ Forum (NGF) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposal of ₦60,000 as the new minimum wage, stating that it is too high and unsustainable for many state governments.
*Governors’ Concerns*
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is in agreement that a new minimum wage is due. The Forum also sympathises with labour unions in their push for higher wages,” said Hajiya Halimah Salihu Ahmed, Director of Media and Public Affairs (NGF). However, the Forum urges all parties to consider the fact that the minimum wage negotiations also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners.
The NGF cautions parties in this important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it; any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic. “All things considered, the NGF holds that the ₦60,000 minimum wage proposal is not sustainable and can not fly. It will simply mean that many states will spend all their FAAC allocations on just paying salaries with nothing left for development purposes,” the statement read.
*Labour’s Demand*
The labour unions had initially requested a minimum wage of ₦494,000, which the Federal Government and the organised private sector deemed outrageous and unrealistic.
*Negotiations at a Standstill*
Negotiations between labour and government have been ongoing for months, with both parties’ proposals far apart. The labour unions suspended their strike for one week to give the government a chance to come up with an acceptable offer.
*Ultimatum Issued*
Labour has given the government a one-week ultimatum to come up with a new proposal that meets their demands. “We appeal that all parties involved, especially the labour unions, consider all the socioeconomic variables and settle for an agreement that is sustainable, durable, and fair to all other segments of the society who have a legitimate claim to public resources,” the NGF statement read. If an agreement is not reached, another industrial action may be imminent.
