The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has put forth a demand for a new national minimum wage of N794,000 for workers in the South West geopolitical zone. This proposal was presented by Funmi Sessi, the chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the NLC, during the ongoing public hearing of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday.
The South West arm of the labour union emphasized that the demand was a unanimous decision reached by all members in the region. Funmi Sessi, in her presentation, highlighted the importance of ensuring fair compensation for workers to meet the rising cost of living and address other economic challenges.
The demand for a higher minimum wage comes amid discussions and deliberations by the Tripartite Committee, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on January 30, 2024. The 37-member panel, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was tasked with examining and recommending an appropriate minimum wage that reflects the current economic realities in the country.
The ongoing public hearings provide a platform for stakeholders to present their proposals and considerations for the new minimum wage.