In a significant development, the Nigerian government has initiated a 37-man tripartite committee tasked with addressing the national minimum wage.
Vice President Kashima Shettima inaugurated the committee at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
He asked them on a timely submission of recommendations.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has highlighted the inadequacy of their earlier proposal of a ₦200,000 minimum wage, citing the nation’s current economic landscape.
Let’s delve into the implications of this committee’s formation and the ongoing dialogue between the federal government and labour unions as discussed at iBrand Television’s Daybreak Programme with Hassan Taiwo, a public affairs analyst.
Inauguration Of The Tripartite Committee
According to the Nigerian government, the 37-man tripartite committee on national minimum wage is to recommend a new national minimum wage for Nigeria.
The Committee is chaired by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Goni Bukar Aji.
It is made up of members of the organised labour, the private sector and the federal and state governments.
Also, the government requested that the Ministry of Finance should ensure there is adequate funding while calling for collective beginning in good faith.
Furthermore, the Vice President emphasised contract adherence, as he urged the committee members to consult outside in their ranks.
Labor Union’s Stance And Economic Realities
“Well, I think the first thing is to commend the leadership of the labour movement, the NSC and TUC, for this development,” Hassan Tawio said.
He was speaking about the inauguration of the committee.
Also, he mentioned the vital role sustained pressure from labor unions, play, highlighting that the systemic challenges in industrial relations and workers’ wages were often overlooked by the capitalist government and employers.
“The second thing is that now that the committee has been established, that is when the real war itself now starts.
“Because going by our previous experience in this country, establishing a minimum wage trapata committee does not in any way indicate that the capitalist elite are prepared for any real negotiation with labor.
“Even at the end of the committee’s work and recommendation, there’s no guarantee that the outcome is going to be implemented.
“So, the leadership of NLC and TUC must not at any point in time lose their guard,” Hassan buttressed.
Mobilise The Rank And File
In addition, he said: “In fact, going by our experience over the past two decades, it ought to be apparent to leadership of the NSRC that now is the time to begin to mobilise the rank and file of workers across the country for protests and demonstrations in order to send a clear warning to the government at the federal and state level as well as the employers of labour in the private sector, that workers are not going to allow themselves to be shortchanged this time around”.
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Going down memory lane, it is a fact that every negotiation right from the Obasanjo years have always ended up with figures that are not in consonants with economic reality.
The labour unions always come to the discussion table with figures that are scientifically proven to be in consonance with the prevailing cost of living situation.
However, he expressed worries that the government may also want to walk on the same path of offering something lower than the economic reality.
Federal Government Inaugurates 37-Man Tripartite Committee on National Minimum WageÂ