The Presidency has dismissed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) demand for a minimum wage of N615,000, describing it as unfeasible. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the government cannot afford such a high minimum wage.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, had earlier proposed the N615,000 minimum wage, citing an analysis of the current economic situation and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six.
In response, Onanuga, speaking to The Punch, emphasized the need for an agreement feasible for both the government and the private sector. He said, “The government cannot afford any minimum wage that it cannot pay.”
He further added, “So, the President is hoping that maybe at their next meeting, everybody will come to some reasonable agreement that would reflect what the government and the private sector can pay.”
The rejection of the proposed minimum wage by the Federal Government suggests a potential impasse in the ongoing negotiations between the government and labour unions.
