The administration led by President Bola Tinubu has rejected the ₦250,000 minimum wage demand from Organised Labour, deeming it unrealistic and impractical to allocate all resources towards meeting such a request.
In an exclusive interview with Punch, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, emphasized that the government cannot prioritize the demands of Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over other critical national needs. He argued that such a high wage demand would disproportionately benefit a minority of the population, which comprises less than 10% of Nigerians.
"Onanuga stressed, "It is selfish for Labour to insist that all resources should be channeled to benefit their members alone, who constitute a small fraction of the entire population. Many Nigerians are self-employed or engaged in the private sector and are not affiliated with Labour unions."
He expressed disappointment that Labour persisted in rejecting the proposed ₦62,000 minimum wage agreed upon by a committee that included representatives from the private sector, NECA, and NACIMMA. According to him, this figure was reached after extensive consultations with various stakeholders.
"The Federal Government," he continued, "will not reconsider its stance unless Labour presents a compelling argument. They need to be more realistic instead of constantly threatening to disrupt the system."
Regarding the timeline for sending an executive bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly, Onanuga indicated that it might occur after the Sallah break, although he could not specify a precise date.
"While the government is open to dialogue, any decision on the minimum wage must ensure the sustainability of payments by state and local governments," Onanuga affirmed.
President Tinubu had previously announced plans to present the executive bill during his Democracy Day speech, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing workers' welfare while balancing economic realities.
The issue remains contentious as Labour leaders prepare to return from the International Labour Organization (ILO) conference, where they may reassess their strategy in negotiations with the Federal Government.
As the debate continues, stakeholders across sectors await further developments on the minimum wage issue and its implications for Nigeria's economic landscape.
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