President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the creation of a tripartite committee that will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers.
This new development was made known in a letter that was addressed to Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume.
The committee is expected to comprise representatives from the government, labour unions, and the private sector.
Its main aim is to ensure that the new minimum wage is implemented effectively and fairly across all sectors of the workforce in Nigeria.
The letter dated January 23, 2024, is titled “Inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.”
According to the letter, the committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa.
It reads: “I write to inform you that Mr. President has approved the inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.
“The inauguration will take place on Tuesday, 30th January 2024 at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja, at 12:00 noon prompt.
“Members are to be seated by 11:30 am. Kindly note that a shuttle bus will be available at the pilot gate to convey members to the venue from 10:00 am.”
The Nigerian labour unions have been demanding a new minimum wage for workers at the federal and state levels due to an increase in the cost of living caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
In June 2023, labour leaders called on the government to increase the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000 to meet the current economic realities.
It’s worth noting that the minimum wage was last reviewed in April 2019 and increased from N18,000 to N30,000.
