Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced that an executive bill concerning the new minimum wage will be forwarded to the National Assembly following President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming meeting with organized labour on Thursday.
Leaders of organized labour had previously met with Tinubu at the presidential villa on July 11 to discuss the new minimum wage issue. Labour had been steadfast in its demand for a minimum wage of N250,000 ahead of this meeting.
Earlier, on June 3, labour unions had staged a nationwide strike over the minimum wage dispute. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had initially proposed N494,000 as the new national minimum wage, citing inflation and economic hardships. However, this proposal was rejected by the organised labour.
Subsequently, at the last meeting of the tripartite committee, organised labour adjusted their demand to N250,000, which the federal government deemed more realistic and sustainable.
Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday, Minister Idris stated, “The new minimum wage bill will be transmitted to the national assembly after President Tinubu concludes his discussions with organised labour.”
He also mentioned that a supplementary budget would be submitted to parliament to accommodate the new minimum wage. “Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress met with the president as part of the ongoing consultations,” Idris added. “The president has engaged with various stakeholders including sub-national entities after the tripartite committee submitted its report.”
“The government is diligently working to develop a minimum wage that is beneficial for all Nigerians, encompassing the federal government, sub-national entities, and the organised private sector,” the minister continued. “President Tinubu is scheduled to meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and their affiliates on Thursday, following their request during their previous meeting with him.”
Idris concluded, “The president is committed to swiftly resolving the minimum wage issue, and the government aims to resolve it decisively. We anticipate that after Thursday’s meeting, the president will transmit his final decision or views on the tripartite committee report to the national assembly for legislative action.”
cable