Since I Said Subsidy Is Gone, You’ve Not Allow Me To Increase More — NLC Reveals Tinubu 1hr Ultimatum

In a recent statement, Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has disclosed that organized labour faced a critical choice regarding the country’s minimum wage, as reported by The Sun.

He discussed the ultimatum presented during negotiations for the new minimum wage in an interview with Arise TV on Friday night.

President Bola Tinubu recently approved a new minimum wage of N70,000.

The negotiation process involved a tripartite committee comprising the organized private sector, government, and labour committee.

Initially, the committee agreed on N62,000, but the labour representatives rejected this figure and submitted their report to the president, leading to further discussions.

A crucial meeting took place last week, where President Tinubu provided several analyses to the labour representatives.

The governors had expressed difficulties in paying even the negotiated amount of N60,000. Despite these challenges, negotiations continued.

During the meeting, President Tinubu presented two options to the labour representatives.

He offered to pay N250,000 if they agreed to an increase in the pump price of petroleum.

He reminded them that the removal of the subsidy had been announced on his first day in office, and the refusal to allow further price increases left him without the necessary funds to pay the proposed minimum wage.

“After negotiation, they came to N62,000, then it was labour that said no and submitted their report to the president awaiting transmission to the National Assembly and then another round of talks.“

“Last week Thursday, the president met with us and gave me many analyses. Even while we were negotiating at N60,000, the governors insisted on not paying, that it would be difficult, but we continued moving.“

“The president gave us two options, ‘I can pay you N250,000 if you allow me to increase the pump price of petroleum, and he said, Ajaero, on my first day I said subsidy is gone, and since that time you have refused to allow me to increase more, so where will I get the money to pay you minimum wage?“

“If you allow me, I pay you N250,000. If not, take N62,000. I’m giving you one hour to talk. Let me stay in my office so we can conclude this meeting,” he said…..See_More