Unic Press UK: The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) issued a press release Tuesday, saying that the minimum wage ₦27,000 ($74 or £57) approved by the Nigerian government on the recommendation of the National Council of State is unacceptable.
Excerpts from the press release that is signed by the TUC president, Comrade (Dr.) Bobboi Bala Kaigama and TUC Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa-Lawal OZIGI reads:
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) rejects, outrightly the new National Minimum wage of ₦27,000 as recommended by the National Council of State…
The Council of State decision though advisory in nature is weighty and may give semblance of authority to the decision. This decision must not be allowed to stand because it will set a wrong precedence for the future: i.e, after statutory bodies have done their jobs, Council of State will now sit to review it. Let it be known that ₦30,000 minimum wage is a product of negotiation, not legislation, not advise and not a decree.
Minimum wage issue therefore, is moving to a new theatre, the National Assembly. We expect the representative of the people if really they are to do the needful during the public hearing.
Both the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have repeatedly voiced that the government should abide by the recommendations of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee that the sum of ₦30,000 should be a new monthly minimum wage.
