The Federal Government has told Nigerian workers that the implementation of the new minimum wage will take effect from today May 1, 2024 despite ongoing negotiations.
The Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, revealed this on Wednesday while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja.
Onyejeocha emphasised that although the conclusion of the negotiations is pending, efforts are underway to expedite the process and ensure the timely release of the new minimum wage.
Expressing regret over the delay in finalising the new national minimum wage, Onyejeocha reassured workers that comprehensive consultations are ongoing to facilitate the prompt formulation of the required document.
Recently, Organised Labour has advocated for a new minimum wage of N615,000, citing workers’ need to contend with the prevailing economic challenges and the high cost of living in Nigeria
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have demanded N615,000 as the new minimum wage, up from the current N30,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.
The labour unions said the current minimum wage of N30,000 can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker,
They also argued that the current minimum wage expired in April, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
They argued that while the Act is to be reviewed every five years, the current economic climate in the country has even made it even more urgent.
