The Tripartite Committee on minimum wage has made significant progress, reaching a near consensus on a new national minimum wage, according to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma. Speaking after a 12-hour meeting, Uzodimma expressed optimism that the committee will finalize an agreement at the plenary session.
The committee, comprising representatives from the government, labour unions, and the private sector, has been negotiating a new minimum wage to replace the current one. The labour unions had earlier rejected the federal government’s proposal of N60,000, leading to a nationwide strike that was later suspended.
Uzodimma’s announcement comes as a positive development in the negotiations, indicating that the committee is close to reaching a mutually acceptable figure. The meeting, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, was attended by prominent members, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and representatives from the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
Despite the progress made, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has expressed concerns that the proposed N60,000 minimum wage is unsustainable and may lead to financial burdens on states. The forum has appealed for a realistic and fair agreement.
