President Bola Tinubu has requested additional time to consult widely with relevant stakeholders regarding the national minimum wage decision. During the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Tuesday, Tinubu stepped down the memo on the minimum wage, emphasizing the need for thorough consultations with Local Government Areas (LGAs), States, and other stakeholders before the Federal Government can finalize appropriate figures.
The ongoing deliberations between the government and organized labour over the minimum wage highlight the importance of an inclusive approach in setting the new wage standard across the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, provided details of the decision while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcomes of the FEC meeting.
Idris explained that the memo on the new minimum wage was deferred to allow for broader consultations. He emphasized that the new wage proposals impact not just the Federal Government but also the States and LGAs, necessitating a unified approach.
“A lot of people have been asking me questions pertaining to whether the New Minimum Wage would come up for deliberations today at FEC, especially whether the government was going to have a position on the new wage,” Idris stated.
He recalled that the tripartite committee, which includes representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, the Organized Private Sector, and government representatives, had submitted a report to the President. This report had been reviewed by the President, but further consultations were deemed necessary.
“Consistent with the way it should be done, I want to inform Nigerians that FEC deliberated on that because the new national minimum wage is not just the decision of the Federal government,” Idris explained. “That memo was stepped down to enable Mr President to consult further so that he can have an informed position on what to do. This decision was taken because it affects the States, LG and the Federal Government.”
The decision to step down the memo underscores the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to policy-making, especially on matters that significantly impact the livelihoods of workers across Nigeria. The Federal Government aims to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are adequately consulted to arrive at a well-rounded and feasible minimum wage policy.
