The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage submitted its report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday, marking the completion of its assignment. This information was conveyed in a statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the office of the SGF.
The report will be formally presented to President Bola Tinubu for appropriate action once the leadership of the Organised Labour and representatives of the Government and Organised Private Sector return from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
The SGF expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Committee, Bukar Goni Aji, and its members for their dedication and sacrifices.
The Tripartite Committee was established by Tinubu on January 30, 2024, in accordance with the Minimum Wage Act of 2019, with the responsibility of recommending a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors.
The submission of the report on Monday followed extensive deliberations and meetings between the Federal Government, organised labour, and organised private sector.
However, there is a disparity in the proposed minimum wage, with organised labour suggesting ₦250,000, while the committee recommended N62,000. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed concerns over the sustainability of the proposed minimum wage, stating that it would hinder other developmental projects in many states.
In response, labour unions have initiated industrial action to allow for negotiations with the government. Once President Bola Tinubu receives the report, he is expected to send an executive bill to the National Assembly for legislative action.
The Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Onyeka, emphasized the importance of a ₦250,000 minimum wage during his speech on Monday.
He stated that they would not settle for anything less than this amount, as they believe it is necessary to provide Nigerian workers with a decent living. On Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, he made it clear that they have never even considered accepting ₦62,000 or any other lower wage. Their focus is on ensuring that workers are not paid a wage that would lead to starvation.
The NLC remains firm on their stance of ₦250,000, which they see as a fair compromise for all parties involved. Their decision is based on the practicalities of everyday life and the cost of essential goods like rice, yam, and garri.
