LIVE UPDATES
The organized labor has set a deadline of May 31 for the Federal Government to finalize the minimum wage negotiations or else they will initiate a nationwide industrial action.
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu has assured that his administration is actively working on implementing a new minimum and living wage to enhance the well-being of workers in the country.
During the May Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, the organized labor reiterated their demand for a minimum wage of N615,000 and presented an 18-point request to the government. They warned of a country-wide shutdown if their demands are not met by May 31.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commended Nigerian workers on International Workers’ Day and urged them to resist any efforts that undermine democratic principles such as freedom, rule of law, accountability, and probity.
Additionally, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed solidarity with Nigerian workers and praised their determination to improve Nigeria.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, expressed concern over the challenging living conditions faced by the Nigerian people, particularly workers, in the past year.
They emphasized that the previous minimum wage of N30,000 had expired on April 18 and discussions for a new minimum wage should have been concluded.
However, they criticized the government for not reconvening the adjourned meeting and questioned the timing of the government's announcement regarding the minimum wage.
