FG Warns Labour Against Unrealistic Minimum Wage Demands
The Federal Government has cautioned organized labour against pushing for a new minimum wage that could lead to mass retrenchment or harm the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.
At the opening of the 2024 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the potential negative impact of the N250,000 minimum wage demanded by labour.
Idris emphasized the need for a realistic wage system that addresses workers’ needs without jeopardizing the economy. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reassessing the minimum wage while warning against demands that could disrupt economic stability.
Read Also:
He stated: “As I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is not opposed to the increase of wages for Nigerian workers but we keep on advocating for a realistic and sustainable wage system for the workers – a wage system that will not undermine the economy, lead to mass retrenchment of workers and jeopardize the welfare of about 200 million Nigerians.
“We want the labour unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of an increase in wages.
“It will also come as an effort to reduce the cost of living and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.
“And this is where programs like the Presidential CNG initiative come in.
That program alone, by replacing or complementing petrol usage with CNG, will cut transportation costs by as much as 50 per cent.”
