Labour unions in Nigeria have rejected the N27,000 new National Minimum Wage adopted by the National Council of State on Tuesday.
The National Council of State pegged the national minimum wage at N27,000 for states and the private sector. The council also pegged N30,000 as the minimum wage for federal workers.
The council’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and was presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In separate press statements issued by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) Tuesday night, both unions rejected the amendment made to the submission of the tripartite committee which was submitted to the presidency more than two months ago.
The TUC statement was signed by the chairman, Kaigama Bobboi, while ULC president, Joe Ajaero, signed the union’s statement.
According to Mr Kaigama, the Council of State’s decision though advisory is weighty and may give a semblance of authority to the decision.
According to him, the decision must not be allowed to stand because it will set the wrong precedent for the future.
“After statutory bodies have done their jobs, Council of State will now sit to review it,” he said.”The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) rejects, outrightly the new National Minimum wage of N27,000 as recommended by the National Council of State, the fact that the federal government agrees to pay N30, 000 notwithstanding,” he said.
NAN
