The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stated that the N494,000 national minimum wage demanded by organized labour, which totals N9.5 trillion, could destabilize the economy and jeopardize the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.
Idris made this assertion while addressing journalists in Abuja, responding to the threat of a strike by organized labour if their demands are not met.
He highlighted that the Federal Government’s offer of a N60,000 minimum wage, representing a 100% increase from the 2019 wage, has been accepted by the organized private sector, part of the tripartite committee on negotiations.
The government’s proposal represents a 100% increase on the 2019 minimum wage, while labour’s demand for N494,000 would be a 1,547% increase.
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The N494,000 minimum wage sought by labour would total N9.5 trillion for the Federal Government of Nigeria.
While the FG aims for fair remuneration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not support actions risking massive job losses, particularly in the private sector, which may be unable to meet labour’s demands, he said.
The Minister emphasized that the government’s priority is the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians, focusing on affordability, sustainability, and the overall economic health.
He appealed to organized labour to return to the negotiating table and consider reasonable and realistic wages.
Idris also noted that the Tinubu administration’s commitment to worker welfare includes a temporary wage award of $35,000 for federal workers until a new national minimum wage is established.
