N30,000 minimum wage not realistic – Femi Adesina

Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, has insisted that the N30,000 as minimum wage demanded by labour for civil servants is not feasible.

Labour has rejected the proposal of the federal government to raise the minimum wage from N18,000 to N24,000.

But speaking during a Channels TV programme on Thursday, Adesina said even if public office holders sacrifice their entire pay, that will not still make such minimum wage achievable.

He said, “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 also said even if the political class “especially members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)” agrees to reduce their salaries it will not make the new minimum wage demand possible.

“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.”