SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed claims that it negotiated the ₦40,000 consequential salary adjustment granted to federal workers following the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
The labor union clarified that it was not directly involved in determining the additional payment, insisting that the responsibility rested entirely with the relevant public sector trade unions.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, and signed by the NLC Acting General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah.
According to the Congress, its role during the 2024 national minimum wage negotiations was limited to securing the new minimum wage, which establishes the lowest amount employers are legally required to pay workers.
It explained that consequential adjustments are a separate process involving the review of existing salary structures to ensure that workers’ earnings reflect the implementation of a new minimum wage.
The NLC identified the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, comprising government representatives and about eight trade unions, as the body responsible for negotiating the consequential adjustments with the Federal Government.
It stressed that similar arrangements apply at the state level, while industrial unions negotiate directly with employers’ associations on behalf of private sector workers.
Using the food and beverage industry as an example, the Congress explained that the Association of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employers negotiated with the National Union of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employees on implementing the new wage structure within the sector.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the ₦40,000 adjustment specifically, the NLC maintained that public sector union leaders, rather than its national leadership, were responsible for the outcome.
It described reports attributing the negotiation to the Congress as false and misleading, arguing that such claims distort Nigeria’s collective bargaining structure and could create unnecessary divisions among workers.
The labor organization also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to shift responsibility and create confusion within the labor movement at a time when preparations are underway for another round of minimum wage negotiations.
Looking ahead, the NLC said it would push for a new national minimum wage that better reflects the country’s economic realities, rising inflation, and the increasing cost of living.
It emphasized that the ultimate goal should be a wage closer to a living wage, rather than an amount that merely meets the minimum legal requirement.
The Congress also promised to introduce measures to improve future consequential adjustment negotiations, ensuring that the appropriate unions take responsibility and workers receive better outcomes.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns over workers’ purchasing power, with many Nigerians questioning whether existing wages can adequately cover basic household expenses.
While the NLC is distancing itself from responsibility for the ₦40,000 adjustment, its statement highlights the importance of understanding which labor institutions negotiate different aspects of workers’ salaries and holding the appropriate bodies accountable.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
