Organised Labour has firmly rejected any minor increase to the ₦60,000 minimum wage proposed by the tripartite committee. Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo made this clear on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, shortly after the suspension of an industrial action that began at 12:01 am on Monday.

“At the meeting on Friday, the committee indicated they would not increase the ₦60,000 offer. However, in yesterday’s meeting, the President committed to exceeding this amount,” Osifo explained.

Before the strike, the tripartite committee, comprising the Federal Government, states, and the Organised Private Sector, offered Labour ₦48,000, then ₦54,000, ₦57,000, and finally ₦60,000, all of which were rejected by the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

When asked if Labour would accept a slight increase to the last offer, Osifo replied, “No, we have made it clear that adding small increments like ₦1,000 or ₦2,000 is unacceptable. We have received assurances that a more substantial offer will be made.”

Osifo noted that while Labour is not fixated on ₦494,000 as the new minimum wage, the committee must present a serious and economically realistic proposal that aligns with current inflationary pressures. He stressed that the new minimum wage should have equivalent purchasing power to the ₦30,000 wage in 2019 and the ₦18,000 wage in 2014.

Osifo also criticized the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for labeling the industrial action as “premature” and “illegal.” He argued that the government had been given a one-month notice starting from Workers’ Day on May 1, 2024, which ended on May 31, 2024.

The brief strike, according to Osifo, succeeded in drawing national attention to workers’ demands. “This strike has made it clear that Labour issues must be taken seriously. We have achieved our aim of bringing focus to the tripartite committee’s work,” he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Labour suspended its strike following George Akume’s announcement that President Tinubu was committed to a minimum wage above ₦60,000. The President also directed Finance Minister Wale Edun to present a new minimum wage template by Wednesday.