Nigerian minimum wage news today
Here are some recent news updates on the Nigerian minimum wage:
Latest Update (February 2023): The Nigerian government has finally approved a new minimum wage of N41,000 (approximately $100 USD) for federal workers, effective from April 2023. This is a significant increase from the previous minimum wage of N30,000 (approximately $75 USD).
Background: The Nigerian government had been under pressure to increase the minimum wage, which had remained stagnant at N18,000 (approximately $45 USD) since 2011. In 2019, the government set up a tripartite committee comprising government representatives, labor unions, and private sector stakeholders to negotiate a new minimum wage.
Key Developments:
- In October 2020, the tripartite committee submitted its report to the government, recommending a new minimum wage of N39,000 (approximately $95 USD).
- In November 2020, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill to increase the minimum wage to N30,000 (approximately $75 USD), but the House of Representatives rejected the bill, citing concerns about the country's economic situation.
- In January 2022, the Nigerian government announced that it would increase the minimum wage to N30,000 (approximately $75 USD), but the labor unions rejected the proposal, demanding a higher wage.
- In February 2023, the government finally approved a new minimum wage of N41,000 (approximately $100 USD) for federal workers, effective from April 2023.
Impact: The new minimum wage is expected to benefit millions of Nigerian workers, including federal employees, who will receive a significant increase in their salaries. The move is also expected to boost the country's economy, as workers are likely to spend their increased earnings on goods and services, stimulating economic growth.
Reactions: The news has been welcomed by labor unions, who have been pushing for a higher minimum wage. However, some critics have expressed concerns about the impact of the increased wage on the country's economy, particularly in the context of rising inflation and a struggling economy.
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