Government Pledges Minimum Wage Talks in March

The Bola Tinubu administration has committed to engaging in discussions with Organised Labour to establish a new minimum wage in March, as revealed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

The announcement was made during a dialogue organized by the Media Trust Group in Abuja on Thursday.

Initial Wage Proposal and Subsequent Adjustments

Minister Idris disclosed that when President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy, the government initially proposed a N25,000 wage award to mitigate the impact of the policy on workers.

However, this proposal faced rejection from labor unions, leading to a subsequent increase in the wage award to N35,000, which was paid for a duration of six months.

Labor-Government Negotiations and Future Plans

The minister emphasized that despite initial discomfort from the labor sector, negotiations took place between the government and labor representatives.

Eventually, an agreement was reached for a N35,000 wage, designed to alleviate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, covering the period from September 2023 to February 2024.

Looking forward, Minister Idris announced that in March, the government and labor will reconvene to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers.

President Tinubu’s Intentions for the Nation’s Welfare

Minister Idris urged Nigerians to grant President Tinubu the necessary time to address and improve the welfare and well-being of all citizens.

Acknowledging the challenges, he emphasized that the President’s intentions are geared towards benefiting the nation in the long run.

The minister concluded by calling on Nigerians to be patient and supportive as President Tinubu works towards positive changes for the country.