by NEW MINIMUM WAGE: I Can’t Pay My Four Drivers ₦100,000 Each Monthly – SGF Akume
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has says the wage increase demands being made by the organized labour are not realistic.
Akume who stated this in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, appealed to the christian community for support as the tripartite committee on minimum wage continues with negotiations.
According to the former Benue State Governor, paying a minimum wage of ₦100,000 to his drivers will be a difficult responsibility.
“I can’t afford to pay my driver one hundred thousand because they are four,” Akume said.
The SGF decried the demands made by the organized labour, adding, “Where do we get that money from?”
It will be recalled that Akume had earlier said the organized labour committed treason by shutting down the national grid during the last nationwide strike.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has debunked the online report that it has offered ₦105,000 as the new national minimum wage.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga who disclosed the denial via his X account said, “The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun has not proposed ₦105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”
There has been a report on some online platforms to the effect that the minister presented a proposal of ₦105,000 to President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the Tripartite Committee meeting on the new national minimum wage was stalled on Wednesday due to the failure of the federal government team to present a new figure to the organized labour after the initial ₦60,000 offer was rejected by labour.
The minister of Finance alongside the Minister of Budget presented a figure to the President on Thursday which is expected to be presented at the Tripartite Committee meeting today.
The meeting involves the federal government, the organized private sector and the organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
The SGF does not need 4 drivers. That’s unwieldy.