Labour unions are set to initiate discussions with state governments following the National Assembly's approval of the N70,000 monthly minimum wage. The new wage, enacted through the 2024 National Minimum Wage Amendment Act Bill, aims to address the economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers.
On Tuesday, both the Senate and House of Representatives swiftly passed the bill after President Bola Tinubu's request for expedited approval. The legislation revises the previous National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which set the minimum wage at N30,000 with a review period of five years. The new bill reduces the review period to three years and increases the minimum wage to N70,000.
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele highlighted that the increase to N70,000 resulted from extensive negotiations. He described it as a short-term measure to alleviate economic difficulties. Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno emphasized the need for the wage adjustment to match current economic conditions. The bill was unanimously supported by Senators and is now awaiting the President's signature for implementation.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), who had previously threatened strikes over wage issues, had initially proposed a minimum wage of N494,000, later revised to N250,000, and then finally agreed to N70,000 following negotiations with the presidency.
The NLC has urged state governments to comply with the new wage law promptly, given the existing economic strain and the need to address workers' financial challenges. TUC's National Vice President, Tommy Etim, emphasized the urgency of immediate implementation, while NLC's Head of Public Relations, Benson Upah, stressed that states should adhere to the new law without delay.
In response, Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq has submitted a revised supplementary budget to accommodate the increased wage bill, though the specific reasons for the budget adjustment were not detailed.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured that the state would comply with the new wage once it becomes law, expressing his commitment to workers' welfare. Similarly, Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, affirmed that the state would implement the new wage despite the financial strain, emphasizing the administration's dedication to worker welfare.
0 Comments