Minimum wage talks hit roadblock

The national minimum wage negotiations may have run into yet another roadblock on Friday.

The Federal Government negotiating team reportedly increased its offer by N2,000 at the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting, bringing its total minimum wage offer to N62,000, while the Organised Labour lowered its demand to N250,000 from N494,000.

Prior to the government’s subsequent N2,000 increase, the state governors had earlier yesterday, during ongoing negotiations, stated that they could not even afford to pay the N60,000 minimum salary that the federal government had suggested. It was learned that the government’s offer was supported by the Organised Private Sector.

The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage has adjourned in response to the disagreement.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had instructed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, to outline the financial implications of a new minimum wage.

It is, however, unclear whether the latest proposal from the government was borne out of the cost implications presented to the president.