NLC set to enforce new minimum wage in all states

In a decisive move, Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State, announced that joint labour unions have mandated the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage across all states, warning that any state failing to comply will face shutdown.

In an interview on July 20, 2024, with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo, Arapasopo highlighted that the unions had accepted the N70,000 minimum wage to avoid an increase in fuel prices.

The decision emerged from a recent NEC meeting where all members consented to enforce this wage uniformly.

Arapasopo emphasized that the state governors were actively involved in the negotiations, initially advocating for the N70,000 figure.

“While labour proposed N250,000, negotiations saw this figure adjusted to N62,000 before settling on N70,000, which we accepted as a considerable sacrifice,” he stated.

The NLC Chairman warned that any state or governor not adhering to this agreement would face strict consequences, including shutdowns.

The labour unions agreed to the N70,000 minimum wage after President Bola Tinubu indicated that meeting the N250,000 demand would necessitate a rise in fuel prices.

As a gesture of solidarity with the broader Nigerian populace, the unions accepted the lower wage to prevent exacerbating the cost of living.

Arapasopo explained that the union’s concession aimed to shield Nigerians from inflation and increased fuel costs, noting that the N70,000 figure is fair for workers in the lowest wage bracket. He also mentioned that consequential adjustments and related benefits would increase the overall compensation.

The Osun NLC chapter also plans to engage with the state government to negotiate additional allowances for workers, affirming that the minimum wage is non-negotiable.