The leadership of organised labour has expressed growing concern over the delay in releasing the template for the consequential adjustment to the new national minimum wage, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 29th July.

Despite a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the President to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and his National Planning counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, in early June, the template for adjusting the payment structure to reflect the new minimum wage has not yet been communicated to organised labour, creating unease among workers eager to receive their revised salaries.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which represent the country’s labour unions, have urged both the federal and state governments to expedite the release of the template to ensure the prompt implementation of the new wage structure.

TUC Deputy President, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, criticised the federal government for the delay, stressing that the National Salary Income and Wages Commission is responsible for creating the implementation template, while the Joint National Public Services Council will engage with the government on the consequential adjustment across all grade levels in the public service.

“The TUC has been actively engaging and pressuring the government to release the template for the new National Minimum Wage implementation, given the socioeconomic challenges and the need to enhance the purchasing power of the average worker,” Okon stated. “We are not satisfied with the delay and urge the government to act quickly to ensure no worker is shortchanged.”

Similarly, NLC Head of Information and Public Relations, Benson Upah, voiced the congress’s disappointment with the delay, noting that the implementation process should have already commenced. He urged state governments to expedite the adjustment of wages in line with the new minimum wage and ensure that no further delays occur.

In response to the concerns raised by labour unions, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, told the Nigerian Tribune that the Ministry of Finance had fulfilled its responsibilities regarding the new minimum wage, and that the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) was now responsible for further action.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Njoku, Public Relations Officer at NSIWC, indicated that efforts are ongoing to implement the new minimum wage for federal workers. However, an anonymous source within the commission disclosed that progress is being made and will soon be reflected in workers’ salaries.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that implementing the ₦70,000 minimum wage could result in job losses for some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Dr Muda Yusuf, CEO of CPPE, explained that while the increase is commendable given the impact of inflation, it could be challenging for SMEs already struggling with economic difficulties to meet the new wage requirements.

Yusuf pointed out that many SMEs are facing significant challenges, including high exchange rates, energy costs, and logistics expenses, which could be exacerbated by the requirement to pay the new minimum wage. He cautioned that this might lead to retrenchments, which would negatively impact the economy.

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), comprising several industry associations, has also urged the Federal Government to deliver on its promises of support to help businesses manage the wage increase. NECA Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, stressed that the ability of businesses to comply with the new wage law would depend on the government’s fulfilment of its commitments, including reversing electricity tariff hikes and addressing other economic burdens on the private sector.

Several states, including Edo, Adamawa, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Benue, Nasarawa, Borno, and Oyo, have indicated their readiness to implement the new minimum wage.