The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has revealed that the Federal Government will enter discussions with labour unions on the new minimum wage in March.
The Minister disclosed this at the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue and presentation of the 2023 African Award of the Year themed ‘Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers’, which was organized by the Media Trust Group on Thursday in Abuja.
Alhaji Idris explained that when the fuel subsidy was removed, President Bola Tinubu initially promised to pay N25,000 wage award to workers to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal which wasn’t accepted by Labour unions. “We entered into negotiation with Labour and after a long discussion with them and President Tinubu, we arrived and agreed at N35,000 which was accepted”.
According to the agreement, the payment of N35,000 was to last from September 2023 to February 2024 after which the government and Labour will come together again to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers in March.
“It is important for Nigerians to understand the intention of Tinubu to address the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians. I know it is not easy but Nigerians will be better for it”.
“I want to call on Nigerians to give President Tinubu the time to make things right for the country” explained the Minister.
