President Bola Tinubu announced today that a decision has been made regarding the much-discussed new minimum wage between the Federal Government and labour unions.
In his address to the nation on Democracy Day in Abuja, Tinubu disclosed that an executive bill is set to be presented to the National Assembly to officially endorse the new minimum wage arrangement.
“We have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organised labour on a new national minimum wage.
“We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasized his administration’s commitment to a democratic approach in resolving issues with labour, highlighting the importance of cooperation over confrontation.
“We chose the path of cooperation over conflict. The labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate toward a good-faith resolution. Reasoned discussion and principled compromise are hallmarks of democracy,” Tinubu explained.
Ensuring that Nigerians are not subjected to oppression was underscored by the President.
“I take on this vital task without fear or favour and I commit myself to this work until we have built a Nigeria where no man is oppressed. In the end, our national greatness will not be achieved by travelling the easy road. It can only be achieved by taking the right one,” he affirmed.
Tinubu urged citizens to remain hopeful for a better tomorrow, stating, “We dare not slumber lest the good things awaiting our immediate future pass us by. We dare not plant our feet in an idle standstill in the middle of the intersection of hope and despair. We know the proper way forward and we shall take it!”
Beyond Boders recalls that the recent nationwide strike by labour unions on June 3 stemmed from disagreements over the proposed minimum wage.
While the government and the Organised Private Sector proposed N62,000, labour demanded N250,000. Despite various proposals, including a ₦100,000 offer, labour remained adamant.
Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, reiterated their stance, stating they would not settle for less than what they deemed fair.
