CONVERSATIONS on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers are ongoing, with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum saying that they are yet to finalize what the states can feasibly pay.
The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, explained that the governors, as part of the tripartite committee for the national minimum wage, are still assessing the financial implications of various recommendations adding that they are committed to the process, assuring that improved wages will result from the negotiations.
“While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted of recent by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, it is imperative to state that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the national minimum wage, is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.
“As members of the committee, we are reviewing our individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, to arrive at an improved minimum wage we can pay sustainably,” the statement read in part.
However, the governors said they remain committed to the process and promised that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations.
“We remain committed to the process and promise that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations”.
The organized labour has proposed a monthly minimum wage of N615,000 for workers, urging the federal government to approve it.
Despite concerns about the sustainability of this demand, the labour unions argue that the current economic realities justify their request.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, emphasized the importance of states prioritizing their spending and suggested that investing in mechanized agriculture and achieving self-sufficiency in food production could alleviate economic challenges.
Although the new minimum wage announcement did not meet the expectations of Nigerian workers, the Federal Government assured that once agreed upon, it will take effect from May 1, 2024.
The Minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, expressed regret that the new national minimum wage was not ready by May 1 but assured that consultations are ongoing to expedite the process.
The organized labour has set a May 31 deadline for the government to propose a realistic and reasonable new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
