The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has provided more insights into how it brokered a deal with the Federal Government over the new national minimum wage, saying the leaders of the Organised Labour accepted the N70,000 offer to avert a threatened further hike in Petrol pump price by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

NLC said Labour leaders had to eventually compromise on the initial demand for a higher minimum wage since they cannot stand further hardship on Nigerians by a fresh increase in Petrol pump price by the Federal Government as a precondition for a minimum wage higher than N70,000 for workers.

This was disclosed by NLC after its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Friday following the outcomes of the meeting with the federal government which earlier held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and presided by President Bola Tinubu.

According to the communique issued after the emergency NEC meeting signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NEC-in-session after extensive deliberations, unanimously commended and applauded the doggedness of the leadership of the Congress on the courage and forthrightness with which they handled the National Minimum Wage fixing exercise.

NLC NEC also accepted the President’s offer of N70,000 as the new National Minimum Wage and the three-year tenure for its review even as it demanded full and strict compliance by all to the dictates of the National Minimum Wage Law when it eventually becomes an Act of the National Assembly.

“NEC-in-session concluded that this decision, though challenging and far from our initial demand, was made in the spirit of solidarity and sacrifice for Nigerian masses to avert a threatened further hike in the price of Petrol which would inflict more hardship on the already suffering masses.

“Once again, NEC-in-session restates the commitment of the NLC to continue to stand resolutely in its mission to defend and advance the rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerian people at all times. It therefore calls on all Nigerians to unite in this cause and to hold our leaders accountable to the same standards of sacrifice and service,” the communique stated.

Nnachi404:
Stop reading news about nigeria if you want to live long

JAOS:
■ https://leadership.ng/tinubu-govts-threat-to-further-hike-petrol-price-forced-us-to-accept-n70k-minimum-wage-nlc/

Teymanhenry:
This is telling that FG can reduce fuel prices if they wish. But hell no they wouldn't. Imagine a president threatening the masses with more hardship as a tool for negotiation

Creamypie:
■ We need obasanjo. He's the only president who transformed this country. We started regressing after his presidency. Now see where we dey.now, people go just manage buy 5 liters of fuel to do school runs

Kobojunkie:
Lies!

InteliJ:
NLC HAS FAILED NIGERIANS. $43 MINIMIUM WAGE HAS DROPPED TO 3O STH DOLLARS NOW IMAGINE "GIANT OF AFRICA" PAYING LESS THAN 40 DOLLARS AS MINIMIUM WAGE AND SOME BST WILL STILL COME TO SUPPORT THIS GOVT....HELINUES AND CO THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE. BUHARI GAVE US $43. TINUBU GAVE US SAME AMOUNT. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS DROPPED COS OF EXCHANGE RATE INCREASE. NO INCREASE AT ALL HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED. IT WAS DECREASED INSTEAD.

Creamypie:
u don't know anything sir. Ask your parents to tell u how his government was. Things cheap die.

Kobojunkie:
What the fk am I asking parents for when I lived through both regimes of his?

kolafolabi:
I recall that during our struggle for a fair minimum wage, the least amount mentioned was ₦150,000. Given this context, it is surprising to see jubilation over a ₦70,000 agreement. While any increase is a step forward, we must remember our original goal and continue pushing for a wage that truly reflects the cost of living and ensures a dignified standard of life for all workers.
Moreover, the Federal Government's threat to hike the pump price of petrol should not have coerced us into accepting a lower wage. We must stand firm in our demands and not let external pressures force us into compromising on what is fair and just. Let’s not settle for less than what was initially deemed fair and necessary.

Creamypie:
b4 obj, bread, tea and beverages, oats, sardines na for only government officials. Car was totally beyond workers. All workers were under tentage

sleek214:
Ok. Govt will still increase fuel price..... It's only a matter of time.

Kobojunkie:
Huh? Who fed you such a bullsheet?