The Federal Government has acknowledged its inability to promise an “impossible” minimum wage beyond its financial capacity.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, made this statement in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday.
Despite these constraints, Prof. Pate emphasized the government’s dedication to enhancing the welfare and wages of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
He said, “We appreciate them. Some have chosen to go abroad for training, and we have approved this with the expectation that they will return after their training. We are also expanding the training of those who remain and are working on improving their conditions.”
He highlighted ongoing efforts in wage review, noting that submissions have been made to the Salary Incomes and Wages Commission to adjust the remuneration for the health workforce.
This statement comes in the wake of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) postponing the review of the minimum wage to allow for further consultations. On June 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu, in his Democracy Day address, assured the Organised Labour of an upcoming Executive Bill to establish a new national minimum wage.
The President is expected to make a decision regarding the proposed N62,000 minimum wage from the government and private sector side, and the N250,000 demand from Labour.