The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday urged organized labor not to accept less than N120,000 as a minimum wage, asserting that the Federal Government has no justification for not paying such an amount.
This proposal comes in response to the current administration’s offer of N60,000, which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has labeled as unpatriotic.
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Led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), organized labor commenced a nationwide strike on Monday, rejecting the Federal Government’s N60,000 minimum wage proposal.
Labor unions are demanding N494,000, significantly higher than the government’s offer.
The strike has disrupted activities in government offices, airports, schools, hospitals, and has affected electricity and water distribution.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, criticized the APC-led government for insincerity in negotiations with labor.
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He argued that the government’s spending habits suggest they have the resources to meet a higher minimum wage.
“The government’s engagement with labor has been hypocritical. They never intended to genuinely address the needs of Nigerian workers,” Abdullahi said.
“If the government can spend trillions on infrastructure and unnecessary foreign trips for officials, they can afford to pay at least N120,000 as a minimum wage. If this demand isn’t met, the strike should continue indefinitely to show the government that the people have a voice.”
In contrast, APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim condemned the PDP for allegedly inciting labor against the government.
He suggested that the PDP’s stance is driven by bitterness from losing the last election and is not rooted in patriotism.
“The PDP’s proposals are unfeasible and lack a sense of responsibility,” Ibrahim said. “If the PDP were in power, there might not even be a discussion about wages. Their position is more about political maneuvering than genuine concern for Nigerian workers.”
Acknowledging the country’s economic challenges, Ibrahim criticized the NLC and TUC’s demand for N494,000 as unreasonable.
He emphasized the need for fair negotiations that consider the broader Nigerian population.
“Labor unions must negotiate with a sense of fairness and equity,” Ibrahim stated.
“While advocating for workers, they must also consider the millions of unemployed Nigerians who struggle daily. Demanding nearly half a million Naira per month in this economic climate is unrealistic and unfair to the majority.”
As the strike continues to impact the nation, both the government and labor unions are under pressure to reach a resolution.
The ongoing negotiations will determine the future of the minimum wage and the broader economic implications for Nigeria.
