The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has called on workers’ unions to re-negotiate the new minimum wage with the government instead of resorting to industrial action. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos, responding to the nationwide strike declared by organized labour.
Ifoh argued that a strike would only exacerbate the existing hardships faced by Nigerians, noting, “The demand for N494,000 minimum wage is unrealistic and unsustainable, as it would require the country to allocate all its funds to pay civil servants.”
He urged continued negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable figure, emphasizing that a strike would negatively impact the cost of living. “If the Federal Government is firm on N60,000, labour should consider it while continuing to negotiate,” Ifoh added, stressing the need for ongoing dialogue rather than disruptive action.
Despite pleas from the Federal Government, the organized labour began an indefinite strike on Monday to demand a new national minimum wage, following a series of unsuccessful negotiations. Labour had previously proposed a wage as high as ₦615,000 before lowering it to ₦494,000 to reflect the rising cost of living.
