In the ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed new minimum wage, members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have voiced their concerns and demands for concessions.
Specifically, a member of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) emphasized the need for concessions if the minimum wage exceeds a certain amount.
In an exclusive interview, the NASME member stated that they would not oppose a minimum wage higher than N100,000, but instead, they would seek tax holidays or exemption from paying the agreed amount if it surpasses their stated threshold.
The member stressed that a more feasible amount for some private sector entities is N60,000, expressing concerns that excessively high wages could have detrimental effects on small and medium scale businesses.
Amidst speculations about the proposed minimum wage, there were conflicting reports regarding the amount.
While initial reports suggested that President Bola Tinubu had approved N105,000 as the new minimum wage, the Presidency swiftly refuted these claims.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, debunked the rumors, asserting that Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, had not proposed N105,000 as the new minimum wage.
Furthermore, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, revealed that no specific amount had been presented to them during a closed-door meeting, indicating that the committee is still deliberating.
Ajaero expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions and emphasized that the exact figure had not been officially or unofficially communicated to the committee.
The Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, echoed a similar sentiment, stating that updates on the outcome of the meeting would be provided once the talks are finalized.
