Federal Government Stands Firm on N62,000 Minimum Wage Despite Labour’s Opposition
The Presidency has reiterated its commitment to the proposed N62,000 minimum wage despite opposition from Organised Labour, asserting that a higher demand of N250,000 would strain government resources and impact other sectors negatively.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized in an exclusive interview with newsmen that the Federal Government cannot solely prioritize the demands of Labour, which represents less than 10 percent of Nigeria’s population.
He underscored the need for realism, highlighting that resources must be balanced to cater to broader national interests.
“We keep telling labour to be realistic because the government cannot use all its resources to pay workers,” Onanuga stated. “They have other things to do. The workers we are even talking about are not up to 10 percent of the population.”
He pointed out that the proposed amount of N62,000 was reached after consultations with various stakeholders, including the private sector.
Onanuga dismissed claims that the amount was insufficient, stressing that it was arrived at through consensus and cannot be unilaterally altered without due process involving all concerned parties.
President Tinubu had previously announced plans to send an executive bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly during his Democracy Day address.
Onanuga indicated that while there was no specific date set for the bill’s transmission, it might occur after the Sallah break.
Regarding ongoing discussions with Labour leaders, Onanuga hinted that unless substantial new developments arise, the Federal Government may not engage further with Labour until their return from the International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva.
Efforts to reach Labour leaders for comments on Sunday were unsuccessful, with reports indicating their return to Nigeria from the conference.
Meanwhile, the tripartite committee established by the Federal Government to review the minimum wage has urged Labour unions to reconsider their demands in light of economic realities and non-monetary incentives already provided by the government.
Committee chairman, Bukar Aji, highlighted several initiatives aimed at supporting workers and stimulating the economy, including wage awards, financial inclusion programs, grants for SMEs, and various sectoral interventions.
Aji urged Labour to accept the N62,000 minimum wage offer, cautioning against demands that could exacerbate unemployment and economic challenges already faced by businesses.
As discussions continue, the Federal Government remains focused on balancing the interests of Labour, businesses, and economic stability in its quest to implement a sustainable minimum wage policy.
