The Federal Government and Organised Labour postponed the minimum wage talks on Wednesday, rescheduling them for Thursday (today) to continue negotiations.
The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage delayed the session to await the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, submitting the salary template to President Bola Tinubu today.
Tinubu had directed the finance minister on Tuesday to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days.
Related News: NLC to Meet Over New Minimum Wage Negotiations
The President issued the directive during a meeting with the government negotiation team, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Sources within the labour unions involved in the committee meeting said the parties decided to await the presidential template before proceeding with further negotiations.
A source who attended the meeting stated, “The meeting has been adjourned until Thursday. We showed understanding because we all know that the president gave the finance minister 48 hours to come up with a minimum wage. So, we decided to give them the time. We will be meeting by 2 p.m.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, indicated that the President wanted to know the financial implications of the new minimum wage within 48 hours.
Briefing journalists on the directive, Idris said, “We were all there to look at all issues, and the President has directed the finance minister to do the numbers and get back to him between today and tomorrow so that we can have figures ready for negotiation with labour.”
Idris assured that the president is committed to the committee’s resolutions, emphasizing the importance of balancing government pronouncements with practical realities.
He added, “Government is not against or opponent of labour discussions; the government is not an opponent of wage increase, but what is there is that government is always there to ensure a balance between what government pronouncement is and what the realities are on the ground.
You can also read: Nigerian Workers Brace for Nationwide Strike Amid Wage Negotiation Breakdown