The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has a message for the Federal Government: workers cannot wait. The congress wants salaries raised now, without waiting for a new minimum wage agreement.
TUC President Festus Osifo made the call after the congress’ National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting. He also announced preparations for fresh minimum wage negotiations.
Osifo said allowances and salaries do not need a minimum wage conversation. He argued that government can raise pay on its own.
“We have mentioned several times that allowances do not need a minimum wage conversation. And even salaries, government on its own can actually push the salaries of workers up, even without a minimum wage conversation,” he said.
“Minimum wage is minimum. Government can decide to pay whatever it wants to take care of its employees. Employers can decide to do way above what is there at the minimum threshold.”
Osifo said the statutory minimum is only a floor. Workers in banking, food and beverages, and oil and gas already earn well above it.
He asked the government to address the welfare of workers on the lower levels of the federal payroll.
“Government does not even need to wait for a new minimum wage Act to be signed before government will take care of its workers,” he said.
Planning The Next Minimum Wage Talks
The current minimum wage agreement expires in August 2027. Osifo said negotiations should start about six months before that. He noted that the last negotiations took three to four months.
He asked the government to inaugurate a committee in February 2027. That, he said, would allow enough time for discussions.
“So, if the committee can be inaugurated in February, we can start work, so that by the end of May or June, we could have a new minimum wage,” he said.
On the lingering Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) dispute, Osifo gave the Federal Ministry of Health a few days to resolve outstanding issues. The dispute concerns a communiqué that led to the suspension of the union’s strike.
“We are going to send a letter to the Minister of Health, draw his attention to that communiqué once again. By the time we draw his attention, we wait for his response,” he said.
Osifo said TUC was engaging its sister labour centre. He warned that the two centres would intervene if the issues remained unresolved.
Insecurity, Naira And Textile Industry
Osifo called for more funding to fight insecurity. He said persistent kidnappings and killings have disrupted farming, investment and other economic activities.
He asked the government to prioritise the protection of lives and property. Citizens, he said, must be alive and secure to benefit from infrastructure and other projects.
On the economy, Osifo said the naira remains undervalued. He asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen it.
A stronger currency, he argued, would ease pressure on fuel, food and other commodities with foreign exchange components.
He also called for the revival of the textile industry. He cited high energy and production costs, layoffs and declining employment.
Osifo asked the Ministry of Labour to enforce decent working conditions. He said it should address excessive casualisation, poor remuneration and unsafe workplaces.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, he called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a transparent, open and credible process.
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Yes he is right, minimum wage is just a floor, a stepping stone especially in this economy. Nigerian naira has lost it’s weight, what is even 1k now? Small thing you will cough, and the money will just disappear.