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June 24, 2024

In a significant development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is expected to receive the report from the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage this Tuesday, barring any last-minute changes. This comes after the committee’s meeting on June 7, 2024, where the federal government proposed a minimum wage of N62,000, a figure that led to a split within the committee as Organised Labour insisted on a minimum wage of N250,000.

Labour groups have remained firm on their demand, urging President Bola Tinubu to offer a more substantial wage increase than the one proposed by the federal government and the organised private sector. The committee's report has already been submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who will forward it to President Tinubu for presentation to the FEC.

During his speech at the Democracy Day dinner, President Tinubu emphasized that his administration would only pay what is financially feasible for the country. He stated, "The minimum wage is going to be what Nigerians can afford, what you can afford, and what I can afford."

Despite this stance, Organised Labour has maintained that they will not accept what they describe as a "starvation minimum wage." They have called on the President to use his authority to offer a higher wage than the proposed N62,000.

The Council is expected to review and approve a figure to be included in the new Minimum Wage Bill, which will then be submitted to the National Assembly as an Executive Bill for consideration and passage. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation is tasked with drafting the Bill to ensure its timely submission.

Reports indicate that the National Assembly is prepared to expedite the passage of the Bill once it is received. The current Minimum Wage law, enacted in 2019, expired on April 1, 2024.

During the Workers' Day celebration, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, assured that the new Minimum Wage law would be retroactively effective from May 1, 2024, regardless of any delays in reaching an agreement. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to diligent negotiations to ensure a satisfactory outcome for Nigerian workers.

Minister Onyejeocha stated, "Although the committee could not reach a consensus at its last meeting before the May deadline, we want to reassure Nigerian workers that we are working diligently round the clock with organised labour to conclude negotiations and ensure a successful outcome. Our commitment is unwavering, and Nigerian workers should rest assured that, despite the short delay, the new minimum wage will take effect on May 1, 2024."

This development is closely watched by workers and stakeholders across the nation as they await the FEC's decision on this critical issue.