President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally submitted a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to establish a ₦70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The bill aims to formalize the recently agreed-upon minimum wage after extensive negotiations between organized labor, the private sector, and the federal government.
In a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday, July 23, President Tinubu outlined the new national minimum wage provisions and the legal framework for its implementation. He urged lawmakers to expedite the bill’s passage to enable immediate implementation, benefiting Nigerian workers promptly.
How the FG and Organized Labour Reached Compromise
The submission of this bill follows an agreement between President Tinubu’s administration and organized labor unions. Initially, the unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had demanded a ₦250,000 minimum wage. However, they reached a compromise on ₦70,000 to alleviate further hardship on Nigerians.
NLC President Joe Ajaero explained that the labor unions accepted the ₦70,000 proposal due to its immediate benefits and the provision for more frequent reviews. Unlike the previous practice of reviewing the minimum wage every five years, the new agreement allows for potential negotiations and adjustments within a three-year period.
“What has been announced in terms of the amount of ₦70,000 happened to be where we are now. But the cool thing about it is that we will not wait for another five years to come on review,” Ajaero stated. “Rather than settling on a figure that we wait for five years, it’s like we’ll have to now negotiate even two times within five years.”
Request for Amendment to the Nigeria Police Act
In addition to the minimum wage bill, President Tinubu has also requested an amendment to the Nigeria Police Act, as stipulated by section 58 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This request was also presented in a letter to the House of Representatives, emphasizing the need for legislative action to ensure the proper functioning and modernization of the Nigeria Police Force.
By pushing for these legislative changes, President Tinubu aims to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers and enhance the operational framework of the country’s police force, thereby contributing to national stability and development.