The Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has announced that the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024, although the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude its negotiations.
She expressed sadness that it was regrettable the minimum wage was not completely negotiated and agreed on before May Day. However, she assured workers that the ongoing wide consultation will be reached and a document will be available soon.
This announcement contradicts the earlier announcement of the wage increases of 25% to 35% for civil servants and 20% to 28% pensions for pensioners made by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). In a press statement, Emmanuel Njoku, Head of Press at the Commission had stated that: “The increases take effect from 1st January 2024.”
Meanwhile, before Workers Day, the officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been calling for an upward review of workers’ salaries considering the galloping rate of inflation in the country. Recently, they have called for the review of up to N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers nationwide. They have argued that the stated amount is the minimum wage that can meet the needs of the Nigerian worker in the present economic realities.
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The labour unions have at different fora insisted that the current minimum wage of N30,000 can no longer cater for the well-being of an average Nigerian worker. They have expressed dissatisfaction that not all governors are paying the current minimum wage which had just expired on April 30, 2024. The last Minimum Wage Act of 2019 came into effect during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is, however, due to be reviewed in 2024 in line with the five-year review calendar for minimum wage.
In the same vein, President Bola Ahmed Tibu has lauded the Nigerian workers for their immense contributions to national growth and development. Tinubu lauded the efforts of the workers through the Vice President, Kashim Shettima while delivering the speech of the president at Eagle Square during the May Day event in Abuja.
Shettima reiterated the federal government’s commitment to receiving the recommendations of the committee on the new national minimum wage. He said the administration of President Tinubu is committed to improving the living standards of Nigerians.
“The President affirms that his administration remains committed to improving the welfare of all workers, noting the various relief programmes, including the wage award and the imminent minimum wage review.
“President Tinubu strongly believes that the custodians of the nation’s machinery deserve a fair wage and enhanced welfare and that a labourer deserves not just any reward but fair and commensurate wages.
“The President assures Nigerian workers of his dedication to not only improving their welfare but also enhancing their working conditions and providing the necessary tools for them to succeed.”