Minimum wage: Tinubu to consult Govs., organised private sector before sending bill to N’Assembly

Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said he would be having an extensive overview and consultations wiith 36 State Governors and organized private sector on the new minimum wage before sending a bill to the National Assembly.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris said this while addressing State House reporters after the end of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Idris disclosed that the FEC deliberated on the memo, but the memo was stepped down to enable the president to consult further with state governors and the organised private sector before presenting a bill to the national assembly.

This is as he further explained that the new minimum wage is not just an affair of the federal government as it affects the state government, and local government.

Western Post reported June 12, that President Tinubu announced that the National Assembly will soon receive an Executive Bill that will formalise the agreement reached between the organized labor unions and the federal government.

After unsuccessful negotiations for a new minimum wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and TUC labor unions went on a nationwide strike last Monday. They are demanding a new wage and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike.

The labor unions argue that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 is insufficient for the average Nigerian worker due to current inflationary pressures. They seek a more economically realistic offer from the government.

However, the labor leadership has agreed to suspend the strike for five days after reaching a commitment with the Federal Government to resume negotiations and establish a new minimum wage within a week.

The President reportedly directed Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, instructions last Tuesday to provide the financial consequences of a new minimum wage within two days.

In order to establish a new, reasonable salary award for Nigerians, Tinubu also gave the government representatives instructions to collaborate with the organized private sector and the sub-nationals.

The President has reportedly received reports from all sides, and it is anticipated that he will decide and send an executive bill to the National Assembly for approval of a new minimum wage bill, which he would then sign into law.