By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) staged a walkout on Thursday from an ongoing minimum wage negotiation meeting with the Federal government, protesting the proposed new minimum pay of N48,000 for workers.

Earlier on May Day, the labour unions had proposed a minimum wage of N615,000, citing the high cost of living as the basis for their demand.

However, the Federal government and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) have proposed significantly lower figures, with the government suggesting N48,000 and NECA proposing N54,000.

NECA’s proposal was seen as surprising, given their earlier claim that the lowest paid worker in the private sector earns N78,000.

The labour unions have called an emergency press briefing to inform workers about the government’s proposal and their next course of action.

The walkout is a clear indication of the labour unions’ dissatisfaction with the government’s proposal, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.

The minimum wage negotiation has been ongoing for some time, and the labour unions are determined to secure a fair and living wage for Nigerian workers.