Government and Labor to Discuss Minimum Wage in March

Federal Government will open talks with Labour on the new minimum wage in March, Information and National Orientation Minister Alhaji Mohammed Idris said yesterday.

He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to workers’ welfare, urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigerians to be patient with the administration.

The minister spoke at the Dialogue and presentation of 2023 African Award of the year in Abuja.

The dialogue, with the theme “Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers,” was organised by the Media Trust Group.

At the forum, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged the Federal Government to review policies that are inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

Idris highlighted efforts by the administration to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

He recalled that when the fuel subsidy was removed, the President initially promised to pay N25,000 wage award to workers to cushion its effect.

Idris said: “But labour was not comfortable. We entered into negotiation with the Labour and after long discussion with them and President Tinubu, we arrived and agreed at N35,000 which was accepted.

And the President said the N35,000 will be paid for six months to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. That would be from September 2023 to February 2024.

So, after the payment of wage award for six months; in March, the government and labour will come together again to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers.