President Bola Tinubu has pledged to send a National Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly soon, despite ongoing negotiations between labour unions and the government.
During a broadcast to commemorate Democracy Day, President Tinubu announced plans to enact legislation on the proposed minimum wage, indicating that it might be reviewed within the next five years.
“We have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organised labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less,” stated President Tinubu.
While the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage has submitted its report to the federal government, there is yet to be a convergence on the figures proposed by both organised labour and the federal government.
Despite the tough negotiations, President Tinubu emphasized the democratic nature of his government, highlighting the avoidance of oppressive tactics.
“In the face of labour’s call for a national strike, we did not seek to oppress or crack down on the workers as a dictatorial government would have done. We chose the path of cooperation over conflict. No one was arrested or threatened,” affirmed President Tinubu.
He reiterated the importance of reasoned discussion and principled compromise in democracy, affirming their continued role in his policies and interactions with various stakeholders.
Calls for sanctions against labour leaders emerged following the shutdown of the national electricity grid during the strike.
However, both the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, condemned the action, describing it as treasonous.