Mr. Christopher Arapasopo, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun Chapter, has announced that joint labour unions are firmly united in ensuring the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage across all states.
He issued a stern warning that any state failing to comply with the wage increase will face a complete shutdown.
“The governors would never say they were not there when it was agreed. They were agitating for N70,000 as the minimum wage,” Arapasopo stated. “We, as labour, suggested N250,000, and they brought it down to N62,000 before shifting ground to N70,000, and we accepted it. We have sacrificed a lot of things.”
He clarified that the new minimum wage payment is non-negotiable, stating, “So, for any government or governor that fails to pay, we will shut that state down. It is a must for them to pay. It is a no-go area. We are not negotiating that.”
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Saturday, Arapasopo outlined that the unions had reached a consensus on the new minimum wage as a compromise to prevent a hike in fuel prices.
He stressed that during the NLC NEC meeting, all members had pledged to uphold the wage agreement and unanimously agreed to take action against any state that did not adhere to the new wage.
Arapasopo elaborated that pushing for a N250,000 minimum wage would have resulted in increased fuel prices and higher inflation, which would have had adverse effects on both workers and the general public.
Arapasopo elaborated that the union’s decision to accept the N70,000 minimum wage was a strategic move to avoid further hardships for Nigerians. “The President said if we insisted on our demand of N250,000, he would have to increase the fuel price. However, as good citizens of Nigeria, we believe the demand should not be only for the benefit of a particular sector alone. As workers, we should be able to think about other Nigerians and not ourselves alone,” he said.
He affirmed that the N70,000 wage was deemed fair and would serve as a baseline salary for the lowest tier of workers, with additional perks and possible adjustments.
He concluded by noting that the Osun chapter of the union would engage with the state government to discuss allowances for workers, but reiterated that the minimum wage itself remains non-negotiable.
