Nigerian Government Warns Against Labour Unions' Minimum Wage Demand, Citing Economic Risks

The Nigerian government has expressed serious concerns over the demand by labour unions to raise the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N494,000, stating that such an increase would push the federal workers' annual wage bill to approximately N9.5 trillion. This, the government warns, could destabilize the economy and jeopardize the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, addressed journalists in Abuja on Saturday, responding to the organized labour's threat to strike if their demands are not met. Idris highlighted that the federal government's offer of a N60,000 minimum wage, representing a 100% increase from the 2019 minimum wage, has already been accepted by the organized private sector, a member of the tripartite negotiation committee.

"The Federal Government’s New Minimum Wage proposal amounts to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage of 2019. Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which would increase by 1,547% on the existing wage," Idris said. "The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which Labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to a N9.5 trillion bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria."

Idris emphasized that while the federal government is committed to ensuring ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also focused on preventing massive job losses, particularly in the private sector, which may struggle to meet the unions' wage demands.

"The federal government is concerned with the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians based on its guiding principles of affordability, sustainability, and the overall health of the nation’s economy," Idris added.

The minister called on the organized labour to return to the negotiating table and consider reasonable and realistic wages for their members. He reiterated the Tinubu administration's commitment to the welfare of workers, noting that the current wage award of N35,000 for federal workers will continue until a new national minimum wage is established.

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Posted: at 2-06-2024 06:41 AM (8 months ago) | Addicted Hero

How much is their salary, how much do they spend on cars, maintenance, welfare etc. Monkey dey work baboon dey chop. Useless leaders.

Posted: at 2-06-2024 09:32 AM (8 months ago) | Addicted Hero

Mr wicked minister, as you are busy shouting you've increased minimum wage by 100%, why didn't you also tell the people the percentage by which inflation rate and cost of living have increased??? Why didn't you explain that mr heartless minister??? Inflation and cost of living have almost tripled, but you only doubled the wage, so are Nigerians better than the way you met them or they are worse??? Olodo and wicked kitchen cabinet members 

Posted: at 2-06-2024 11:45 AM (8 months ago) | Hero