The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has announced that the federal government plans to initiate discussions with labour unions on the new minimum wage in March.
The minister made this disclosure at the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue and presentation of the 2023 African Award of the Year held in Abuja.
The dialogue, themed ‘Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers,’ organized by the Media Trust Group, provided a platform for Alhaji Mohammed Idris to communicate the government’s plan regarding the new minimum wage.
Idris recalled that during the removal of the fuel subsidy, President Bola Tinubu initially committed to paying a N25,000 wage award to workers to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal.
He said, however, that after negotiations with labour unions, an agreement was reached to pay N35,000 for six months from September 2023 to February 2024 to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
The minister emphasized that the government and labour unions would reconvene to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers in March.
He urged Nigerians to understand President Tinubu’s intention to enhance the welfare and well-being of all citizens.
Idris acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence that Nigerians would benefit from the government’s efforts.
He appealed to Nigerians to give President Tinubu the necessary time to implement measures that would positively impact the country.
“I want to call on Nigerians to give President Tinubu the time to make things right for the country,” Idris stressed.
