The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated it will not proceed with a strike tomorrow to push for a new national minimum wage.

This update came from NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ajaero explained: “We cannot declare a strike now because the figures are with the President.”

He mentioned that the tripartite committee’s proposals are pending the President’s approval, and the NLC’s National Executive Council will review the new figure once it is announced.

“Previously, the committee proposed N27,000 to the past President, who then raised it to N30,000. We are hopeful this President will also act wisely. He acknowledged the significant difference between N62,000 and N250,000,” Ajaero said.

He criticized governors who claimed they couldn’t afford a minimum wage of N62,000.

Ajaero stated, “How can any governor say he cannot pay? They also should not be calling for decentralization of the minimum wage.

“Are their wages decentralized? Governors whose states contribute little to the national purse and have low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are receiving the same as those whose states generate substantial funds into the FAAC.

“They should first decentralize their own salaries and benefits.”

He commended Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who pays a minimum wage of N70,000, as a model to follow.

“So, where is Governor Obaseki of Edo state getting his funds? He is paying N70,000 minimum wage. This is the type of leadership that should be emulated, not the complacent ones,” he said.