The implementation of the new national minimum wage will be backdated to 1st April, 2024 whenever it comes into effect.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, disclosed this in Abuja on the occasion of the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration.
She reassured Nigerian workers that despite the delay, government has been working diligently with organized labour to conclude negotiations and ensure a successful outcome.
The minister stated, “Our commitment is unwavering. The Nigerian workers should rest assured that despite the short delay, the new minimum wage will take effect on April 1st, 2024.”
Onyejeocha noted that “on January 30, 2024, the Federal Government took a decisive step towards enhancing the welfare of Nigerian workers by inaugurating a 37-man Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage.
“This committee was tasked with the critical responsibility of recommending a realistic national minimum wage that aligns with our current economic landscape.
“Since then, the committee has been working tirelessly alongside Labour leaders to reach an agreement on a new national minimum wage that reflects the country’s economic realities.”
She further stated that the federal government was receptive to the committee’s suggestion of “transitioning from a mere minimum wage to a living wage that truly reflects the value of workers’ contributions.”
Onyejeocha affirmed the commitment of the government to placing the needs and aspirations of the workers at the forefront of national agenda through the provision of fair and just working conditions.
The minister noted that every worker deserved to work in an environment free from exploitation, discrimination, and oppression, and pointed out the need to create workplaces that foster dignity, respect, job security and inclusivity for all.
She observed that the theme of this year’s celebration, “People First”, captured a fundamental principle of prioritising the welfare and well-being of people.
The minister urged all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of cooperation, understanding, and patriotism, coupled with diligence and increased productivity.
“By working together, we can lift our nation out of poverty and usher in an era of prosperity for workers and citizens alike,” she said.
Onyejeocha assured Nigerian workers, as well as citizens, of government’s empathy with their struggles, and its commitment to their well-being.
The minister urged organized labour “to foster a conducive environment that promotes constructive engagement and collaborative problem-solving for the benefit of all stakeholders and the nation as a whole.”
