Former Senator that represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has claimed that the demand for a new national minimum wage has hit a brick wall.
Journalist101 recalls that after the last tripartite meeting of the government, organised private sector and the labour unions on June 10th, 2024, no progress has been made on the demand for a new national minimum wage.
Both the organised private sector and the government proposed N62,000 as the new minimum wage, an offer the labour unions said is unacceptable, insisting that the amount should be N250,000.
Over two weeks after, the federal executive council, FEC in their last meeting on 25th June, stepped down the memo on the new minimum wage
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House Correspondents that 39 items were on the agenda and all were taken.
On the Minimum wage, he said there was a report by the Tripartite committee which comprises of local government, States , NLC/ TUC and the federal government.
He said the Tripartite Committee submitted its report and there was a memo to that effect.
He, however, said Council could not take a decision on it because it involves Local Government, states, FG, Organized Private Sector and Labour unions, thus the memo on the new minimum wage was stepped down so that President Bola Tinubu could consult widely before a final submission is made to the National Assembly.
Similarly, the Governors after their meeting on 26th June, 2024, without any definite pronouncement, assured Nigerians that better wages will result from the ongoing negotiations between the government, private sector and organised labour.
“The governors agreed to continue engaging with key stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable solution,” a communique issued by the Governors Forum read in part.
“We remain dedicated to the process and assure that better wages will result from the ongoing negotiations.”
Senator Sani, like every Nigerian, has waited for a pronouncement to be made and said maybe, the “Minimum wage has entered voicemail.”
