ON N85,000 MINIMUM WAGE FOR LAGOS STATE WORKERS

The Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (LSPSJNC) wishes to address the recent statement made by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu during an interview on Channels Television on October 16, 2024. In the interview, Mr. Governor announced a new minimum wage of ₦85,000 for Lagos State workers.

We must clarify that the labour side learned of the ₦85,000 minimum wage through the media, just like the general public. This figure was not the product of any formal discussions or negotiations with the Union. We believe that Mr. Governor may have been misinformed regarding the outcome of an impromptu and informal meeting held with Top government officials earlier in the week. The only resolution from that meeting was the setting of a date for formal negotiations, which has been communicated to our members. We have since received an official letter from the government, confirming that negotiations will commence on October 21, 2024.

We are, however, pleased to note that Mr. Governor acknowledges that wage and salary matters should be the product of negotiation. His public offer of ₦85,000 reflects an understanding that Lagos workers deserve higher wages given the unique economic pressures they face. This offer sets a positive tone for the upcoming negotiations, especially considering the Governor’s progressive stance on exceeding the national benchmark for minimum wage. We are confident that the final outcome of these negotiations will bring meaningful economic relief to our members.

It is important to clarify that our comments do not undermine Mr. Governor’s right to make public statements on governance matters. Rather, we are simply underscoring that while Mr. Governor’s announcement was well-intentioned, the proper negotiation process had not yet taken place.

To provide context, on Monday, October 14, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Union received a call inviting us to a meeting to discuss the minimum wage. As a responsible representative of the workforce, we attended the meeting. However, we made it clear that formal discussions could not proceed in the absence of all relevant stakeholders. In line with best practices and in the spirit of social dialogue, we insisted that negotiations should be inclusive. As a result, the meeting was adjourned to October 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

The public announcement of any figure was therefore unexpected. The labour side remains fully committed to upholding the principles of social dialogue and tripartism, as laid out by the International Labour Organization (ILO). These principles are fundamental to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented in this vital negotiation process.

While we commend the ₦85,000 offer as the highest proposed minimum wage in the country so far, we must emphasize that it falls short of what is required to meet the current economic realities in Lagos. We are confident that Lagos State, given its economic strength, has the capacity to do more. We believe that when we present our case, Mr. Governor will give due consideration to the labour side’s proposal, and we expect a positive outcome from the negotiations.

We would like to remind everyone that collective bargaining is not a mere formality but a legally binding process that is essential to sound industrial relations. The labour side is committed to following this process to ensure the best possible outcome for all workers in Lagos State.

Finally, it is crucial to recognize that the growth and resilience of Lagos have been built on the dedication and hard work of its workers. We take this opportunity to salute their tireless commitment to the progress of Lagos State. As representatives of the workforce, we remain steadfast in our dedication to working with the government to ensure that workers’ contributions are fairly acknowledged through just policies and equitable wages.

We strongly caution against any action that might undermine future negotiations on workers’ wages. We reaffirm our unwavering resolve to protect the rights of workers and ensure that their welfare is at the forefront of all discussions.

In solidarity,

Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (LSPSJNC)