“We will review minimum wage to reflect current realities”_ Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his administration’s readiness to review the present N30,000 minimum wage to be in tandem with current global realities.
According to him, improved livelihood for Nigerians remains a top priority of his government, with more people-focused economic policies, assuring that the national minimum wage needs a review to reflect realities.
The President, who received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by the Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, at the State House, Abuja on Friday, said the national and sub-national governments will work together on the minimum wage, which already requires “soul searching.’’
He said: “We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage. We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue.’’
Recall that in the 2023 May 1st workers day celebration, he said that workers would find in him a dependable ally and co-labourer in the fight for social justice. The President-elect also extended a hand of friendship to them, recalling decades of close collaboration between workers and nationalists as well as pro-democracy activists.
“Since 1945 when the railway workers and 16 other public service unions led the first general strike to demand for better wages as a result of rising cost of living, the labour movement in Nigeria has always fought on the side of the masses of our country.
“It was no surprise that the labour movement added fillip, zest and energy to the struggle for independence by partnering with nationalists such as Nnamdi Azikwe, Herbert Macaulay, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli and Anthony Enahoro among others.
“The Nigerian labour movement was also not found wanting during our struggle for the restoration of democracy.
“The Nigerian Labour Congress and its affiliate organisations — NUPENG, Textile Union, PENGASSAN, among others — collaborated with the pro-democracy leaders and groups to restore democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999 after almost two unbroken decades of military dictatorship.
“On this special day, as your President-elect, I extend my hands of friendship to the Nigerian workers through the two central Labour unions – Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
“In me you will find a dependable ally and co-labourer in the fight for social and economic justice for all Nigerians, including all the working people.
“Your fight will be my fight because I will always fight for you. My plans for better welfare and working conditions are clearly spelt out in my Renewed Hope Agenda for A Better Nigeria. It is a covenant born of conviction and one I am prepared to keep.