“Our proposed N200,000 minimum wage no longer feasible” – NLC speaks out

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has indicated that it may seek a higher minimum wage.

According to the NLC, the N200,000 minimum wage previously proposed to the Federal Government is no longer feasible given Nigeria’s current economic situation.

Tommy Etim, NLC Vice President, spoke after Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the Minimum Wage Committee on Tuesday.

Shettima launched the committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

However, Etim said: “You are aware that when we opted for the N200,000, the socio-economic challenges were not as biting as they are now.

“And when you now look at the exchange rate, it was not what it is now. The naira rate has not been devalued as it is now. So, N200,000 is no longer tenable.

“We are not going there with a fixed amount, but definitely not N200,000. By the time we get there, we will decide based on the socio-economic situation.

“That’s what we are going to base our national minimum wage discussion and negotiation on.”