Hope overshadows workers as FG offers N48,000

Negotiations between the federal government and organized labor yesterday stalled, with unions rejecting an offer of N48,000 as the new national minimum wage.

In a dramatic turn of events, both the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria walked out of the tripartite committee meeting, clearly breaking off the negotiations.

Job centers have expressed deep disappointment with the government’s proposal, which they consider an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerian workers and a significant failure to meet their needs and aspirations.

At a briefing in Abuja to present their position, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC Vice President, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, insisted on a minimum wage of N615,000 for workers.

They justified the proposal for a national minimum wage of N615,000 on current economic realities and data, which they said is also in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring Nigerian workers have a living wage.

Although the Organized Private Sector (OPS) proposed an initial amount of N54,000; however, according to trade unions, this amount is still lower than the minimum wage of N78,000 received by the lowest paid workers in the private sector.

According to labor leaders, this discrepancy has highlighted the reluctance of both employers and the government to negotiate a fair national minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.

They further stated that the lack of substantiated data from the government to support its offer has only worsened the situation by undermining the credibility of the negotiation process and undermining trust between the parties involved.

They insisted that the current minimum income of N77,000 for federal workers – which includes a mandatory minimum wage of N30,000, a 40 percent special allowance and a bonus of N35,000 – would be reduced if the government proposal was accepted.

Union representatives find this potential loss of income unacceptable.

Trade unions also called on the government to reconsider its position and return to the negotiating table with a more realistic offer that reflects the true value of the contribution of Nigerian workers to the development of the nation and the socio-economic reality they face.

They said: “Despite strenuous efforts to reach a fair agreement, the ill-advised actions of the government and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) led to the breakdown of negotiations.

“The government’s proposal for a paltry minimum wage of N48,000 not only insults the sensibilities of Nigerian workers but also falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.

“Unlike the Organized Private Sector (OPS), it has come up with an initial offer of N54,000, although it is worth noting that even the lowest paid workers in the private sector receive N78,000 per month.

The NLC and TUC subsequently withdrew from the negotiation process.

However, they expressed their readiness to continue a reasonable dialogue with the government towards a just and lasting solution to this issue.

Nigerians are going through a lot of pain – Bishop Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Mathew Kukah, has said that almost a year into the term of President Bola Tinubu, Nigerians are writhing in pain of varying degrees.

He disclosed this to House of Representatives correspondents on Wednesday after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, although it was too early to assess the administration, citizens found themselves in a difficult situation.

Describing the suffering as unintentional, he blamed it on government policies, which he hoped would be changed for the good of the people.

He said reviewing such policies was necessary because the essence of government was to guarantee the welfare and security of the people.

However, he stressed the need for national renewal, stressing that the government should continue to build on what it believes it is doing well, calling on citizens to engage in nation-building.

The priest said: ‘I am sure many people will tell you that a year is not enough to pass a sentence. However, from what we all know, we know that we are all in a very difficult situation.

“Nigerians feel pain at different levels and it is unintentional pain. However, they are the result of certain political decisions that can hopefully be changed over time to serve the good of citizens.

“I believe that the times we are currently living in are very difficult and no one should have any illusions. But it is also a time of renewal.

“We just need to realize that building a good society takes a long time. This is not something that can be done in one lifetime. For me, the most important thing is to continue working on the things that we think are being done well.

“I have always argued that the government needs to improve communication very quickly so that Nigerians can at least have an idea of ​​how long it will be before the food is ready.”

Amid the political crisis in Rivers State, Bishop Kukah has admonished Nigerians not to worry about rivalries between politicians, insisting they know how to solve their problems.

When pressed to comment on the crisis, he said: “Well, I don’t live in Rivers State. Look, this is politics and very often we, ordinary people, cry more than the bereaved. The most important thing is that politicians will solve their problems.

“Rivers State is a place that is very close to me because I have been involved with them for a very long time. But look, when politicians fight, don’t get carried away because they have the opportunity to fix their quarrel. I also hope and pray that Rivers State will reposition itself sooner rather than later because it is not a small part of Nigeria.”

During his visit to the Chancellery of the President, he said that it was related to the planned conference on national cohesion organized by the Kukah Center.