There are strong indications that organized labor will propose a minimum wage of N500,000 as the zonal public hearing on the new wage structure begins today in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Abuja.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, mentioned in an interview on Arise TV on February 11 that if inflation continues, organized labor might suggest a new minimum wage of up to N1 million for Nigerian workers.
However, a senior official of the NLC, according to The PUNCH, revealed that based on proposals from state chapters, organized labor might propose N500,000 at today’s meeting.
The public hearing on the new minimum wage, happening simultaneously in all six geopolitical zones, will gather feedback from organized labor, state governors, ministers, civil society groups, and the organized private sector to determine a new minimum wage that reflects current economic conditions and the workers’ needs.
The PUNCH also reports that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, will lead the meeting in the North-East which will be held in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, will oversee the South-West session, which will take place in Lagos.
On January 30, 2024, President Bola Tinubu, represented by his deputy Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.