The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has warned that the N494,000 national minimum wage demanded by organized labor, totaling N9.5 trillion, could destabilize the economy and harm the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.
According to Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Idris made this statement during a news conference in Abuja in response to labor’s strike threat over unmet demands.
Idris noted that the Federal Government’s offer of a N60,000 minimum wage, a 100% increase from the 2019 wage, has been accepted by the organized private sector, which is part of the negotiation committee.
“The Federal Government’s new minimum wage proposal represents a 100% increase from the 2019 wage. However, labor is demanding N494,000, a 1,547% increase.
“Labor’s demand for a N494,000 minimum wage would result in a N9.5 trillion bill for the Federal Government.
“Nigerians must understand that while the FG aims to provide fair remuneration for workers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not support actions that could lead to massive job losses, especially in the private sector, which may not afford the wage demanded by organized labor,” he said.
Idris emphasized that although labor is focused on the wages of approximately 1.2 million workers, the Federal Government is concerned about the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians, guided by the principles of affordability, sustainability, and economic health.
He appealed to organized labor to return to negotiations and consider reasonable and realistic wages for their members.
Idris also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that the N35,000 wage award for Federal workers will continue until a new national minimum wage is established.
