By Joke Kujenya
THE FEDERAL Government has approved a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers.
This decision came after a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja on Thursday.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris announced the agreement, stating the new minimum wage would be submitted to the National Assembly soon.
Idris expressed satisfaction with the increase from the previous ₦62,000 proposal.
President Bola Tinubu approved the ₦70,000 minimum wage and promised to review the national minimum wage law every three years.
He also pledged to find ways to assist the private sector and sub-national entities in paying the new minimum wage.
NLC Confirms Acceptance of N70,000
NLC PRESIDENT Joe Ajaero confirmed the ₦70,000 agreement and highlighted that future reviews of the minimum wage would occur every three years instead of every five years.
Ajaero mentioned the need for internal consultations within the labor unions regarding the new wage.
Next Steps
LABOUR MINISTER Nkiruka Onyejeocha also said that President Tinubu directed the Finance and Budget Ministers to address issues with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
This agreement follows extensive negotiations between labour leaders and the government.
The tripartite committee, including representatives from state and federal governments and the private sector, initially proposed ₦62,000.
Previous Agitations
LABOUR LEADERS had pushed for ₦250,000, citing economic hardships and high living costs exacerbated by the removal of the petrol subsidy.
During the previous week’s meeting, President Tinubu emphasized the need for realistic expectations regarding the minimum wage.
He urged labour leaders to consider economic constraints and structural factors.
Support for Private Sector
SPECIAL ADVISER to President Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement noted that the President also committed to supporting the private sector and sub-national entities in implementing the new minimum wage.
The President reassured labour leaders of his dedication to addressing university union demands for unpaid salaries.
The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for his supportive measures and the promise to use his discretionary powers to meet the demands of university unions for four months of unpaid salaries.
They also expressed gratitude for the President’s fatherly gesture and appreciated the new wage approval and the commitment to regular reviews and additional incentives.
They also appreciated his commitment to meeting the demands of university unions for four months of unpaid salaries.
