The Federal Government assured workers that despite ongoing negotiations by the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage, the new minimum wage will be implemented from May 1, 2024, ensuring workers’ interests are protected.
Speaking at the May Day celebration in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, acknowledged the delay in finalizing the new wage but emphasized that extensive consultations are underway to expedite the process.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to accelerate the wage review. The labor unions proposed a new minimum wage of N615,000 to address economic challenges and the high cost of living in Nigeria.
They highlighted that the current N30,000 minimum wage, established under the 2019 Minimum Wage Act, no longer adequately supports workers’ welfare, especially since not all governors are complying with the wage requirement, which expired in April after five years.
President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, praised the contributions of Nigerian workers to national growth at the 2024 Workers’ Day event in Abuja.
He affirmed the government’s openness to the committee’s recommendations on the new wage, underscoring the administration’s reform agenda focused on Nigeria’s advancement.
Meanwhile, the National President of the National Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has described the Nigerian government increase of civil servants by 35% as mischievous, insisting that the minimum wage should not be below N615,000
Ajaero, who made this statement on Wednesday, said the Government should pay workers a “living wage.”
According to the union boss, a living wage is such that at least keep the workers alive for the month, without resorting to borrowing and malnutrition.
Ajaero said the President promised to pay a living wage, and it was legislated upon by the National Assembly.
However, he said the government is yet to reconvene a meeting with the organised labour after they submitted a report of N615,000 to the government as the amount for living wage.
