President Bola Tinubu has stated that he needs more time to conduct extensive consultations on the appropriate amount to set as the new minimum wage for public sector workers.
When the matter came up for discussion on Tuesday, Tinubu provided an explanation at the Federal Executive Council meeting.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this on Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents.
He stated that the Federal Government decided to step down the memo in order to consult with other stakeholders, particularly given the impact of the new wage proposals on local government areas, states, and the Federal Government.
The minister said, “A lot of people have been asking me questions pertaining to whether the New Minimum Wage will come up for deliberations today at FEC, especially whether the government will have a position on the new wage.”
“Recall that there was a report from the tripartite committee, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, the organised private sector, and government representatives; these three make up the tripartite committee that discussed the new minimum wage. The president received the report and has reviewed it.
“But consistent with the way it should be done, I want to inform Nigerians that the FEC deliberated on that because the new national minimum wage is not just the decision of the federal government.
“That memo was stepped down to enable Mr. President to consult further so that he can have an informed position on what to do. This decision was taken because it affects the States, LG, and the Federal Government.”
