N30,000 Minimum Wage Not Feasible- Presidency

The Nigerian Government has said the N30,000 minimum wage for civil servants is not feasible.

The Government is at logger heads with the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, over a demand for a hike in the minimum wage.

The NLC had rejected the proposal of the Federal Government which had suggested a wage increase of N18,000 to N24,000.

Adesina who spoke on Channels tv programme on Thursday, said some State Governors were unable to pay the N18,000, not to talk of N30,000.

“So if they can’t pay N18,000 and labour is asking for N30,000 and they refuse to come lower, there may be a stalemate which will not be good for the country.

“I think in the spirit of negotiation, labour should not insist on N30,000,” he said.

Asked if the political class “especially members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)” agreeing to reduce their salaries will not make the new minimum wage demand possible, the presidential spokesman replied: “I doubt.

“Even if they decide not to collect anything, it still doesn’t take care of N30,000 minimum wage; it doesn’t.

“Maybe if the members of the national assembly concede part of their salaries and allowances, it can make a dent on minimum wage. But other office holders don’t earn anything outrageous.”

*ADVERTISEMENTS*