The Nation Newspaper

Tag: living wage

  • Labour’s living wage and government tango

    Labour’s living wage and government tango

    • By Mike Kebonkwu

    Living or minimum wage, whatever one gets or receives today as salary with the spiralling inflation is not going to be of much use after all with prices of commodities hitting the rooftop.  Everyone is waiting with bated breath because whatever award is made and agreed between organized labour and the federal government would impact one way or the other on everybody and everything else that money can buy.  Agreement is one thing and payment across board to all categories of workers by both federal and state government workers is a different kettle of fish; not to talk of the private and informal sectors without the ability, capacity, or willingness to pay.  The government cannot afford to put the negotiation button on mute mode and remain indifferent to the demand for pay rise for workers which by every economic index are ripe and overdue.  

    Will it be N62,000, N100,000, N400,000 or more?  It will be insensitive to plight of workers not give the minimum wage the attention it deserves.

    A couple of weeks back, the Organized Labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates with Trade Union Congress (TUC) literarily shut down the country when during a strike action,  cut power from the national electricity grid  putting  the entire nation into darkness over failure to reach agreement with the government on minimum wage.  Labour is demanding a pay rise and upward review of workers’ salaries and wages to over N600,000.  We should ignore the semantics of minimum or living wage whatever that means; workers need pay rise. The government has been pussy footing and nonchalant, proposing about N50,000 which is a far cry from the labour demand.  

    The current N30,000 minimum wage regime is not realistic under prevailing economic circumstances even though some states are not even paying.    The federal government has always been tardy and mala fide whenever it comes to realistic sustainable salaries for welfare of workers. One has lost counts of the number of times the NLC had called workers out on strike and protests in the last one year of the present government.  Again, it is the government through its difficult economic policies that is playing into the hands of the labour union that has lost steam and looking for relevance. 

    Strike as negotiating tool has been grossly abused and deployed especially under the present labour union leadership.  The analysis of labour to arrive at it’s over N600,000 minimum wage is too pedestrian, simplistic, illogical and lack economic basis. It is not just unrealistic but unsustainable that even the federal government cannot even pay unless it resorts to the Buhari economic model of printing naira notes like the infamous Ugandan Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada.  

    Government offering N50,000 is also insensitive given the prevailing economic situation where prices of commodities are determined by the exchange rate of the United States Dollar, which is over N1,500 to a dollar. 

    Therefore, the NLC is wrong, and the federal government is wrong in their position on the issue of minimum wage.  This government has enjoyed some goodwill of the people which was the reason the removal of petrol subsidy was tolerated without much resistance believing that it was going to turn the economic situation of the country and lots of the people around.  On the contrary, the lots of the people have become grim and intolerable as Nigerians grapple with survival and can hardly afford to eke out a living. Basic food is no longer featuring on the menu table and even pepper and tomatoes which we take for granted as condiments for spicing and seasoning are disappearing. 

    Read Also: Redirect focus to providing living wage for workers, Reps tell FG, Labour

    A 50kg of local rice is going for over N60,000.00; gari and beans are soaring out of reach.  We have not added other demands in medicals, school fees and sundry taxes and expenses.  I am not sure what is realistic in economic terms and sustainable as minimum wage but N60,000 is way below what is reasonable.  The issue of cost of living cannot be solved by merely increasing the wages and salaries of workers when there is no corresponding productivity in the economy and availability of basic goods at affordable prices in the open market. 

    Moving forward, we have to first deal with the cost of governance which is quite obscene and immoral giving what those in government award to themselves as salaries and allowances compared with the minimum wage. The manipulation of emoluments by the National Assembly can simply pass as robbery when we consider the sundry awards under different heads.   What are the constituency projects and moneys allocated under the head used for?  What roles are the local government councils and state governments supposed to perform?  We hear of oversight functions and honourables scrambling to serve in juicy committees in some ministries and departments, what are they over-sighting?   We have to cut down on these leakages and drain pipes.  We must deal with corruption not half-heartedly for political reasons.  Contrary to responses coming from the National Assembly, it is not a campaign of disinformation to target assembly members in terms of what they earn or award to themselves. 

    This is also the time for organized labour to rebrand with a more dynamic leadership different from what the present executive is offering.  Labour should parade the best in its leadership to put out facts about the economic reality to determine the direction of government response to our economic problems without being partisan.  Workers belong to different political association and persuasions. 

    Rather than protesting over who remains as the emir of Kano or carrying placards against the anti-graft agency, EFCC for going after a governor fingered for not accounting for over N80 billion state money, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), right activists and media influencers should fight for causes that will liberate the poor masses from penury, insecurity, corruption and nepotism.  

    That campaign should extend to mobilization and demand for members of the National Assembly to be placed on minimum wage like every other government employee.  After all they have not demonstrated any higher commitment to the development of the country. This way also, you can be sure we will drift to a realistic balance of what can sustain a worker in this country. 

    The Nigerian people and workers should refuse to accept the status of indentured servitude. Government should focus on delivering on good governance and not on fixation that every protests and criticism is the handiwork of the opposition. One wonders if there is truly opposition in Nigerian politics after elections!

    Those representing the government in the negotiation are not fair to Nigerian workers to be recommending N50,000 minimum wage and other banal argument on inflation in the economy. The labour leadership appears also to be labouring in the wrong direction waking up to call workers out on strike and calling it off at will without tangible benefits when their egos are massaged. Times are hard for every Nigerian, workers and the unemployed alike.  Let this tango end and let us all bring something on the table; Nigerians and Nigerian workers deserve better deal and treatment!

    • Kebonkwu Esq writes from Abuja.
  • Reps minority caucus pushes for living wage for workers

    Reps minority caucus pushes for living wage for workers

    Minority caucus of the House of Representatives said on Wednesday that it has commenced the drive for living wage for Nigerian workers against the minimum wage offered by the government.

    In a statement to mark the 2024 International Workers Day, the leader of the caucus, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) said the caucus would ensure that the challenges facing the Nigerian workers is addressed through legislative processes. 

    Chinda said the minirity parties in the House will not only strive to address pressing issues facing the Nigerian workforce, but to act on and prioritise the welfare and rights of workers, 

    He said: “Today, as we celebrate the resilience and contributions of Nigerian workers, the backbone of our nation’s development, we stand in unwavering solidarity with Nigerian workers across all sectors and facets, while acknowledging their tireless efforts and sacrifices.

    “Doubtless, today is a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions of workers to our nation’s growth and prosperity. 

    Read Also: UPDATED: Minimum wage implementation takes effect from May 1, 2024, says FG

    “As we mark this Workers’ Day, and honour the contributions of workers, let us recognise the challenges faced by workers, including poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, and erosion of workers’ rights, reaffirm our collective responsibility to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive society where every worker is treated with dignity and respect. 

    “As the leader of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives, we reiterate the commitments of my colleagues in the Minority Parties of the House of Representatives to addressing these issues through legislative actions and advocacy. 

    “The Minority Leadership resolves not only to reflect on the pressing issues facing the Nigerian workforce, but to act on and prioritise the welfare and rights of workers, just as we have commenced the drive for living wage for Nigerian worker against the minimum wage offered by the government.

    “We urge the government to prioritise policies that promote decent work, social protection, and fair labour standards. We demand an end to the exploitation of workers and the promotion of equal opportunities for all.

    “The resilience, dedication, and sacrifices of Nigerian workers cannot be overstated. 

    To the workers, we say thank you for your dedication and hard work. Your labour builds our nation, and we honour your contributions.

    “Again, we call on the government to urgently consider a living wage for the Nigerian worker and commence implementation with same speed that she implements increase in taxes or tariffs on the populace. Long live the Nigerian workers”.

  • Workers deserve living wage

    Sir: There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerian workers are hard working people who have passion for their jobs and ready to give their best. What has continued to be their problem is lack of good wages occasioned by poor condition of services. With the exception of some ‘lucrative’ government agencies and private enterprises, Nigerians workers take home is nothing to write home about. If one compares the good working conditions of workers in other countries of the world such as US, UK and Ghana, the workers are the least paid.

    With the N18,000 national minimum wage that some states government and private sector can not pay, one imagines how these poorly paid workers survive the galloping inflation that has hit the country hard. Of course, in the last three years, the costs of goods and services have skyrocketed, eaten up the meagre wages workers receive. Nigerians workers are left at their mercy, spending their hard-earned monthly income on basic necessity of lives, children’s school or tuition fees, rents etc.

    Nigerian workers hardly save. Most of their monthly incomes go into servicing loans. No wonder, workers to live in miserable and frustrated lives while the political office holders enjoy fat salaries and allowances. President Muhammad Buhari, during an interview granted to BBC and other media upon assumption of office on why he refused to form his cabinet six months in power stated: “politician are noise makers, with the bulk of the works being done by the civil servants”. This indicates that even the president appreciated the role of civil servants for socio-economic development of Nigeria.

    President Buhari last year inaugurated tripartite committee on national minimum wage comprised of government representatives headed by former Head of Service, Ama Pepple, organised labour and trade union congress members to work out and come up with acceptable national minimum wage. After several deliberations, bargaining and strike warning, the government recommended N24,000 as a minimum wage with state governments and private sector proposing N20,000. In what appear to be a dramatic twist, the organised labour has vowed to go on strike on November 6, unless the government agrees to pay N30,000 as jointly agreed by both the parties. The Nigerian government should do everything humanly possible to stop labour union from embarking on another strike.

    The much talked about war against corruption being waged by this government cannot be achieved with the current peanut wage. The national minimum wage which by labour laws demands periodic review should be hurriedly implemented. The Buhari administration which claims to be workers-friend should hasten the implementation of minimum wage to reflect the economic realities. Living, decent or well-packaged wage is seriously needed to spur productivity and reduce corruption to the barest level.

     

    • Ibrahim Mustapha,

     Pambegua, Kaduna State.

  • Living wage

    •Governors have no excuse stalling introduction of new wage structure

    Organised Labour has expressed reservation about the excuse by the Amma Pepple Committee saddled with coming up with a new national minimum wage structure that governors are frustrating efforts to conclude the assignment. The committee, inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in November last year had pledged to submit its proposals in September. Unfortunately, Dr. Chris Ngige who, as Minister of Labour is the committee’s deputy chairman, has now  indicated that the deadline is unrealistic given the reluctance of governors to submit their proposals. Although the 36 governors are represented on the committee by six members, they have indicated that the governors’ forum is yet to reach a consensus on the subject.

    It is unacceptable that governors who meet regularly at the National Economic Council and on the federal allocation to the various tiers of government would need more than 10 months to come to terms on the need to pay living wage to workers. Many of the issues being canvassed by the governors have been competently tackled by Organised Labour. Whereas the governors have, in the light of Nigeria being a federation, contended that each state should negotiate appropriate wages dictated by productivity index and ability to pay with its employees, workers have equally queried why all political office holders earn the same basic salaries and allowances.

    Besides, whereas governors are averse to having minimum wage on the exclusive legislative list of the 1999 Constitution, Labour has resisted a campaign for expunging it from the list with a powerful contention that there are many other things kept on the list that could be regarded as incongruous to the federal structure. Such items as the central police, failure to implement fiscal federalism, among others, have been preserved on the excuse of a fledgling democracy. It could, therefore, not be considered strange with regards to only the minimum wage.

    We consider it unfair to keep a minimum wage of N18,000 in place seven years after it was introduced despite a drastic change in the cost of living index. It’s been pointed out that Nigerian workers are about the poorest among oil producing countries. Over the years, inflation has eroded the value of the N18,000 minimum wage. This is a country where legislators and executive office holders literally roll in opulence. Monthly, the politicians and their aides draw humongous allowances unknown to the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission. A living wage will also boost disposable income and aid production.

    The argument that state governments are currently struggling with payment of salaries is lame since it is indicative of the lack of creativity by those elected to pilot affairs at that level. Most states are blessed with natural resources, especially fertile soil that could have been converted to wealth. Anyone who, realising the parlous position of the state economy decides to contest is offering himself to lift it out of the doldrums. Almost two decades after the return to democracy most states can only internally generate less than 15 per cent of their revenue. They give the same excuse that the set of 1999-2003 gave, while living in opulence and drawing allowances that are beyond comprehension. Security vote remains a vexed issue as a huge sum is kept by each governor never to be accounted for, contrary to the practice anywhere else in the democratic world where openness and accountability are acknowledged ingredients of good governance.

    While acknowledging that the existing wages is inadequate, it may be difficult to sustain Labour’s demand of N56,000 monthly salary for the least paid workers. We are conscious of the fact that no state is in position to effect a 300 – 400 per cent increase in pay at once. A middle ground has to be worked out immediately. It is an irony that governors who have always complained about being sidetracked in the process of setting new wage structure are the ones now dragging their feet. We should not allow partisan political consideration becloud the negotiations, hence the need for the committee to quickly conclude deliberations and submit its report to the President, leaving enough time for presentation to the Federal Executive Council, and then the National Assembly before the heat of electioneering makes this impossible.

    Nigerians deserve the best; workers deserve good wages and any governor who has shown reluctance to guarantee the good of the greatest number should be kept out of positions of responsibility in 2019.

  • May Day: Workers intensify push for living wage

    Workers yesterday trooped out in large numbers to mark the International Labour Day known in local parlance as May Day. TONY AKOWE (ABUJA), OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE (ABAKALIKI), ERNEST NWOKOLO (ABEOKUTA) and KOLADE ADEYEMI (KANO) report that the demand for a living wage was the singsong nationwide.

    The demand for a new national minimum wage echoed nationwide yesterday as organised Labour mobilised workers to celebrate the International Labour Day popularly known as May Day.

    From Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the nation’s industrial hub in Lagos; to Abakaliki in the Southeast; the North’s political headquarters in Kano. Ado-Ekiti in the Southwest and Calabar in the Southsouth, it was the same song all through. The workers, under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) renewed their clamour for a living wage.

    A 30-member tripartite committee under the chairmanship of former Head of Service of the Federation Ms. Ama Pepple is reviewing the minimum wage.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to implement the panel’s recommendation, billed for submission in the third quarter of the year.

    The workers’ umbrella unions are demanding N66,500 as minimum wage.

     

    Fed Govt’s commitment

    unequivocal, says Ngige

     

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige restated President Muhammadu Buhari’s unequivocal commitment to the enhancement of workers’ welfare and prosperity for all citizens.

    Appealing to the workers to support the government, Dr. Ngige assured them of better days ahead.

    In his goodwill message, the minister recalled the historic role of the workforce over times and urged it to further stand firm with the President in his efforts to return Nigeria to the path of greatness.

    Ngige said: “The cardinal objective of the present administration is the revival of the economy; enhancement of the security of the nation and zero tolerance for corruption. The Federal Government has so far covered a considerable millage notwithstanding teething challenges. I therefore solicit your continued support towards bringing these national goals to fruition.”

    He urged the workers to use the occasion of the May Day to reminisce on the positive outcomes of the labour’s struggle for a better working rights and decent work environment.

    The minister said: “This is an administration that places a lot of premium on the welfare of workers and all citizenry and has done so in very transparent manner. Our openness is to provide enough windows for all Nigerians to appreciate the state of the nation and the efforts of the government.

    “Our modest achievement in creating equable condition for job security and improved welfare for workers, as evident in the fact that no federal civil or public servant has lost his or her job in the last three years of the administration despite economic downturn, as well as the on-going effort to give effect to a new national minimum wage easily bear out the government’s commitment to the upliftment of the workforce.

    “This year’s celebration therefore presents an opportunity for a collective reflection on the contributions of the labour movement to national growth on the one hand and the steadfastness of the Buhari administration to the welfare of workers on the other.”

     

    Ambode: Govt/labour

    harmony good for development

     

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commended the workers’ unions for the uninterrupted and industrial harmony that his administration has enjoyed since he assumed office.

    Speaking at the workers’ rally at the Agege Stadium, Ambode attributed the industrial harmony and peace to the maturity and responsibility of the labour unions, applaudind them for adopting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resort to industrial actions.

    The governor said: “It is on record that we have never, since the inception of this administration, had any dispute with the organised labour and I will be the first to admit that the labour unions in the state have been most responsible and while, at the same time, being dogged in their advocacy for the promotion of the interests of workers in Lagos State, both in the public and private sector groups.

    “In proof of the maturity and responsibility of the labour unions in our State, the organised labour has consistently met with members of our administration under different fora designed to identify and address possible areas of tension and disagreement before they fester into open conflicts.

    “This approach has resulted in an unprecedented three-year period of uninterrupted industrial harmony and peace in Lagos State. For this, I most sincerely commend the labour unions in Lagos State.”

    In their remarks, chairmen of the Lagos chapters of the NLC and TUC, Idowu Adelakun and Francis Ogunremi, commended the governor Ambode for his massive infrastructural drive across the state, security of lives and property, as well as prompt and regular payment of salary among other welfare for workers in the State.

    Adelakun said: “The governor must be commended for prompt and regular disbursement of salary to workers in Lagos State. The State Government is not indebted to her workers. Today, Lagos is a big construction site, courtesy of our progressive and development-oriented and people’s governor.”

    Ogunremi said it was gratifying that Ambode has ensured payment of about N10 billion to over 2,500 pensioners, while the present administration had equally performed well in the areas of road construction, security and traffic congestion, among others.

    The TUC chief said: “Your Excellency, your listening hears to the concerns of workers and the labour centres as representatives of the workers, is quite commendable. During this time last year, the two labour centres requested the governor to replace the secretariat buses for smooth running of the unions in the state.

    “Today, I make bold to inform that both TUC and LUC including all affiliate unions in public service have been presented operational buses.”

     

    ‘Nigerian workers courageous’

     

    Lagos State Speaker Mudashiru Obasa commended the workers for their diligence and commitment to duty, assuring that their welfare would be enhanced by the government at all levels.

    Obasa’s assurance was contained in his May Day address according to a statement by his media aide, Mr. Musbau Rasak.

    In the statement, the speaker was quoted as assuring the workers that the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels has concluded plans to initiate and implement programmes and policies that will not only improve their standard of living but also enhance their wellbeing.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian workers are marvellous. I, on behalf of my colleagues in the Lagos State House of Assembly, salute your diligence and commitment to your duty and we are also appreciative of the courageous way you perform your duty. Indeed, your courage and diligence are attributes that have made you compete favourable and positively with your counterparts anywhere in the world.

    “I want to assure you that the APC government at all levels will continue to put in place policies that will enhance your welfare and improve your standard of living.”

    He, however, urged the workers in particular and Nigerians in general, against relenting in their support for the government.

    “We need your understanding, cooperation, support and prayers all the time and we will not relent in seeking for all these from you. On behalf of the honourable members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I wish you all a happy May Day celebration,” he said.

     

    Falana: It’s time to defend

    welfare laws, democratic rights

     

    Activist-lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana urged the labour leadership to defend the welfare laws and democratic rights of the workers.

    He said the demand for it view of the depreciating quality of life for a new minimum wage by Nigerian workers was long overdue in view of what he caused “gross mismanagement of the Nigerian economy by the ruling class with the connivance of imperialism”.

    Falana urged the various labour unions to take advantage of this year’s May Day celebration to adopt concrete measures that will compel the federal, state and local governments to implement all extant welfare laws and policies.

    The senior advocate identified the extant welfare laws and policies as the products of the collective struggle of the labour movement and other progressive forces in the country.

    He listed the National Minimum Wage Act,  National Health Act,  National Health Insurance Act, National Housing Act, Federal Morgage Act, Pension Reforms Act, Compulsory, Free and Universal Basic Education Act, Nigerian Education Bank Act and People’s Bank Act as some of the welfare laws.

    According to him, the deliberate policy of successive governments to breach the provisions of the welfare laws was compounding the crisis of youth unemployment and mass poverty.

    He said: In fact, the criminal diversion of public funds earmarked for social services by unscrupulous public officers has accentuated official corruption which has continued to expose the country to global ridicule.

    “For instance, the inadequate funds budgeted for the provision of education and health, have been diverted by a few public officers and contractors. While public schools and hospitals are underfunded, public officers are allowed to receive medical treatment in foreign medical centres while workers and other poor people die cheaply in all the ill-equpped  public hospitals in Nigeria.

    “Similarly, top public officers also educate their children and wards in expensive local and foreign educational institutions while the children and wards of workers are forced to attend abandoned public schools in the country.”

     

    Ebonyi: I’ll pay new

    wage, Umahi promises

     

    In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Governor David Umahi promised better pay rise for civil servants on the government’s payroll. He assured that his administration will pay the proposed new national minimum wage when fully implemented by the federal government.

    Addressing a crowd of workers in the state at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Umahi recalled that workers welfare was atop his campaign promises, reassuring on his commitment to the implementation of policies that would improve the workers’ welfare.

    He disclosed that outstanding pensions and gratuities owed workers since the creation of the state would be paid on or before the May 15.

    The governor gave a directive to all relevant ministries to work out the new promotion entitlements and ensure that they reflect in the salaries of the newly prompted workers on or before the middle of the month when salaries are usually paid.

    Umahi said: “May I also assure you that Ebonyi state shall adopt proposed new national minimum wage when approved and that we shall do in keeping with our promise which we made to the workers that we shall treasure their support and repay them for their support.

    “Our administration has in keeping with the mandate of exterminating poverty out of our land and from the civil servants has secured a loan of N4 billion from the Bank of Industry (BoI) with a single digit interest for our workers to access and engage themselves meaningfully in agricultural programme that will have serious impact in their economic standing.

    “We have also organised the first-ever agricultural summit for our civil servants to get them acquainted with our new programme of returning back to agriculture as the main stay of our economy in the face of the dwindling oil price.

    “Our state have had our own share of the challenges arising primarily from the dwindling allocation from the federal government due to the oil downfall but we have kept hope alive and have taken the welfare of our workers as the topmost priority and this includes, payment of their salaries and other entitlements even in the face of the above challenges.”

    The local chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Leonard Nkah, described this year workers’ day as the best and memorable since the creation of the state, adding that the governor has met the needs of the workers.

     

    Ogun:  We’ll pay what is

    within our ability, says Amosun

     

    The civil servant in Ogun State demanded for a “living” wage, saying that N18, 000 as the minimum monthly could no longer address their basic needs.

    They urged the Federal Government to expedite action towards approving the proposed N66, 500 new minimum wage proposed by the NLC.

    But, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who restated his administration’s genuine concern for the workers’ welfare, said the state will only pay wages and salaries within its financial capability.

    The state chairman of the NLC, Akeem Ambali, who made the position of the workers known at the celebration of this year edition of the May Day at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, also called on the governor to offset gratuity of retirees before leaving office on May 29, next year.

    Ambali, whose speech was delivered by Dare Ilekoya appealed to Amosun to recall the dismissed labour leaders in the state, including himself.

    Ambali said: “It is painful and regrettable to recall that the NLC chairman had not received salaries in the last 19 months of his travail.

    He said: “We therefore join our leaders across the country to plead for your (governor’s) forgiveness and normalise labour-government relationship.”

    Also speaking, the local Chairman of the TUC, Olubunmi Fajobi, urged the state government to restore monthly payment of running cost to agencies and public schools in the state.

    Fajobi said this would ensure proper management of the institutions.

    He said: “When running cost is restored to agencies and public schools in the state, these institutions will experience proper management and fast development which will in turn result in the development of the state.

    “In most of the field offices, public servants levy themselves to pay for electricity bills in order to avoid disconnection and buy papers to generate reports to the Headquarters,” Fajobi said.

    Represented by his deputy Princess Yetunde Onanuga, Amosun reiterated his administration’s commitment to the workers’, saying that workers would be promoted as and when due with benefits.

    He, however, added that the government would only pay minimum wage the finances of the state could carry.

    The governor said: “Let me also note that we are back in the season of minimum wage negotiation. Employers can only pay according to their ability – Ability is dependent on Workers’ productivity.

    “Productivity flows from capacity. It is clearly simple logic that capacity development is the fundamental platform for workers’ reward and general welfare. Any other approach is putting the cart before the horse.

    “A higher minimum wage without corresponding fiscal capacity of the employer remains an academic exercise. It is my wish that the energy and passion that fuel the agitation for minimum wage could be channelled into productivity matters of capacity development.”

     

    ‘Workers are key drivers

    of development’

     

    In its message, the All Progressives Congress (APC) extended good wishes and greetings to the workers in celebrating this year’s International Workers Day.

    A statement by the party’s national spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, reads: “Unarguably, the Nigerian worker remain one of the most dedicated, resilient and hardworking in the world. They remain a key driver of the country’s multi-facet development.

    “Despite challenges particularly on the economy, we celebrate Nigerian workers for staying positive and being a partner in nation-building as well as contributing towards efforts to take the country to its deserved heights.

    “While we felicitate with the various workers unions in the country on the occasion of the International Workers Day celebration, we call on labour and trade unions in the country to continue ongoing dialogue with the government aimed at improving workers’ salaries and general welfare.”

     

    Anambra: we’re banking on

    improved resources

     

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano assured that his administration would lift the workers’ conditions of service when the resources of the state improve.

    In an address in Awka, the state capital, Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, affirmed that his administration places high premium on workers’ welfare.

    He said that showed in the establishment of a committee on labour matters to review the numerous workers’ demands to guide his government in addressing them.

    Throwing light on the committee’s terms of reference, the governor said the panel was designed to address the lingering labour issues, including an upward review in salaries and pensions, review of responsibility and hazard allowances for specific categories of workers, increment of retirement age for Nwafor Orizu College of Education staff, distribution of vehicles to directors and commencement of the contributory pensions scheme, among others.

    Assuring that his administration had developed a comprehensive welfare package for the workers in his domain, Obiano regretted that lack of funds had stalled the implementation of his plans. He promised that as the state’s resources improve, the plan would be implemented.

    He, however, revealed that promotion for all workers had been updated for 2016, while approval has been obtained for that of 2017.

    The NLC Chairman in the state, Jerry Nubia, expressed the hope that the governor would avail the opportunity of his second term to improve his members’ welfare to reward their massive support to him during the last governorship election.

    He identified the implementation of the minimum wage, non-payment of arrears of gratuity owed retired local government employees and primary school teachers since 2015, disparity in salary structure of the state and council workers, training needs of workers and low cost housing, among others, as issues for remedial measures.

    Nubia’s TUC counterpart, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, urged the government to depoliticise the minimum wage issue, even as he commended the release of the N200 million owed by the state to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) since 2010 to kick-start the construction of the Isiagu Housing Scheme.

     

    Kano: Ganduje backs

    workers’ agitation

     

    The Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje threw his weight behind the ongoing agitation by the NLC for an increment on the N18, 000 minimum wage, describing it as legitimate.

    Ganduje, who spoke during the May Day celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, said his administration’s has submitted a memo/position to the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage constituted by the presidency in support of pay rise for the workers’.

    The governor said: “Mindful of the persistent agitation by the organized labour/NLC for the review of the current national minimum wage of N18, 000, which we, indeed, believe is legitimate, arising from our deep concern for workers’ welfare, and cognizance of the inconvenient truth that the existing workers earnings, especially, those at the lower segment is no longer realistic.

    “The Kano State government has already submitted a memo/position paper to the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum wage constituted by the presidency supporting the salary increase of the national minimum wage of workers.”

    Ganduje implored the various organised labour unions to be guided by the actual financial situation of the states which he said is generally precarious.

    According to him, “your peculiarities while pursuing your demands should be reasonable, affordable, and implementable consensus that could be reached at the end of the negotiations.”

    He, therefore, hinted that his administration has settled the outstanding payments of pensioners in the state from 2015 to date with the total sum of N12 billion, adding that, he would continue to encourage workers for the overall development of the state.

    The NLC Chairman in the state, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, hailed Ganduje for his labour-friendly disposition to workers, adding that, “we have observed with a unique sense of responsibility, the rare commitment you have exhibited in the conduct of the affairs of this state.

    He said: “Our strategy of adopting the principles of dialogue and constructive engagement with the state government, has also resulted in the steady payment of salary, which is the primary right of the workers in the state.

    “To guarantee the comfort of the worker after retirement, the Congress has successfully pursued the approval of our N4 billion by His Excellency from the Paris Club Refund that was received by the state government.

    “Out of which N2.5 billion have been released and paid to the beneficiaries accordingly. We want use this opportunity to strongly call on His Excellency to kindly direct for the release of the balance of N1.5 billion to continue with the payment.”

     

  • Minimum wage: Labour seeks living wage for workers

    • Aregbesola, Ambode, others caution

    Organised Labour laid its fresh demand for N66, 500 minimum wage before the 30-member Ms. Ama Pepple-led tripartite committee on new minimum wage yesterday. TONY AKOWE, TOBA AGBOOLA and ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE report that the workers’ unions spoke with one voice in their request for a living wage.

    IT was the same tune at the public hearings on National Minimum Wage for Nigerian Workers staged in eight city centres across the country yesterday. The workers demanded for a living wage of N66, 500 minimum wage.

    The hearings, organised by the Tripartite Committee of the National Minimum Wage, were staged in Abuja, Lagos and the six geo-political zones.

    The government and employers of labour did not make their offers known yesterday’s public hearings, but the workers’ umbrella unions – the Nigerian Lagbour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), explained why they united on the demand for N66, 500 as monthly salary for the minimum paid worker. The minimum wage is N18, 000.

    Some state governors, however, urged stakeholders to apply caution in fixing a minimum wage.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who doubles as the Chairman, Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, Northcentral Sub-committee, urged all parties to settle for a fair, just and implementable minimum wage.

    His Lagos counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the revenue profile of each state must be taken into consideration as a major determinant of what can reasonably be afforded in terms of wages.

    Ambode said that workers’ salaries should not be allowed to jeopardize the government ability to fund social services that are critical to the well-being of the entire citizens.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to implement the recommendation of the 30-member tripartite committee, which he inaugurated on November 27, last year.

    At the Southwest hearing, which held at the Adeyemi Bero Secretariat Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, the organised Labour demanded a new minimum wage for all workers in the country.

    Presenting the memoranda of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Political Committee Chairman of the local chapter of the NLC in Lagos, Agnes Sessi, said that N18, 000 was no longer sustainable as minimum wage.

    According to her, the two labour union unions agreed on the urgent need to review upward the minimum wage to meet the prevailing economic realities; lift a pool of working class out of the poverty trap; and to conform with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards on minimum wage fixing to meet the needs of workers and their families.

    In her submission, Mrs. Sessi said:  “Based on the current realities, the two labour centres demand for a new monthly national minimum wage of N66, 500, which is approximately the average of the implied minimum wages derived under three approaches.”

    She listed the approaches as:

    • Comparative analysis based on minimum wages in some African countries;
    • An estimate of the monthly minimum cost of providing basic needs to a family of six and two dependants and analysis based on rising cost of living over time.

    Mrs. Sessi added that both union seek the amendment of the Minimum Wage Act to provide its review every five years, or whenever there was a general wage review, adding that the recommended best international practice was that the minimum wage law should apply to all workers and not to establishments with 50 workers and above, as contained in the present Act as amended in 2011.

    She said the review of the minimum wage would boost aggregate demand which would further provide a boost to the economy coming out of recession, adding that an enhanced minimum wage, financed by increased taxation on the rich and luxury goods, would promote equity and growth in the economy.

    Also speaking, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Lagos branch, aligned with the NLC and TUC in demanding for N66, 500 new minimum wage.

    The ASCSN spokesman, Akeem Kazeem, said the upward review was overdue because the pay structure in the country had become unrealistic and inadequate, such that workers could no longer meet their basic needs, a scenario, he said that is impacting negatively on their morale.

    Kazeem said: “The sum of N18, 000 which is currently being paid as the minimum salary in the civil service is grossly inadequate. An officer at that level will, however, require about N66, 500 a month to survive. We are in total support of the demand for the sum of N66, 500 for a salary of GL. 01 Step 1 officer as requested by the organised labout.”

    Speaking through the Head of Service (Hos) Mrs. Folasade Adesoye, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said there was a consensus of opinion on the need for workers to be reasonably remunerated and compensated in line with current economic realities.

    He said that was why a provision was made in the law for periodic review of the national minimum wage, admitting that every worker deserved a wage that guarantees decent standard of living.

    Ambode said: “The issue, however, which I believe is more peculiar to the public sector, is striking a balance between what goes into recurrent expenditure of which salaries and allowances is a major component and the ability of government to fulfill its obligations to the larger society.

    “In this instance, the revenue profile of each state becomes a major determinant of what can reasonably be afforded in terms of wages, without jeopardizing the ability of the government to fund social services that are critical to the well-being of the entire citizens.”

    The governor stated that at N18,000 minimum wage, the state’s monthly wage bill was in excess of N10 billion for a workforce of 103,000, asides retirement benefits obligations.

    He said that despite Lagos being the highest revenue generating state internally, it must also be recognised that due to the growing population, “we also shoulder the highest responsibility in terms of the resources that must be expended on social and physical infrastructure renewal and development.”

    Ambode charged stakeholders to be open-minded and flexible in their demands in the overall interest of all.

    In his opening remark, the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage for the zone and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who was represented by his deputy governor, Col. Samaila Dabai, said the national minimum wage was first fixed in 1981 and subsequently reviewed in 1991, 2000 and 2011.

    He said: “It therefore means that hitherto, there appeared to be an unwritten cycle of 10 years between reviews.

    “This onerous task cannot be adequately carried out without the wide consultations, which this public hearing provides.”

    At the Abuja hearing, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mohammed Bello demanded a living wage for workers, describing them as the birds that lay the golden eggs.

    “Those who create the wealth of the nation deserve to be treated well and their welfare adequately taken care of,” the minister said.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba told state governors canvassing for what they described as true federalism that there was nothing like true federalism anywhere in the world.

    He said federalism has a provision to protect the weak and vulnerable in the society.

    On their part, pensioners, under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Pensioners  (NUP) demanded a minimum pension of N40,000, arguing that a situation where some state pensioners still collect as little as N2000 monthly was unacceptable.

    The FCT minister, who was represented by the Director, Human Resource Management, Hajia Amina Bello, said while the minimum wage review was in tandem with ILO Convention, it should be juxtaposed with government revenue profile to make whatever is arrived at will be implementable.

    Bello said: “The planned review and proposal of a new national minimum wage is laudable, bearing in mind the current economic realities, in lauding the cost of living, particularly as it affect the middle and low income earners. That the review should be juxtaposed with the government revenue profile to ensure hitch free implementation upon approval.

    “This is because it may be counter-productive to arbitrarily consider an upward review without taking into cognizance the cost of funding the revised wage by government and private organisations.”

    The minister frowned at salary disparity among government workers, saying “there is the need for the committee to consider recommending the implementation of salary structure relativity among all federal establishments.

    “A situation where some government parastatals operate enhanced salary structure and allowances for its workforce, while others especially core ministries operate regular salary structure is to say the least somehow demoralising.

    “Investigation to this effect indicates that junior officers in some of these juicy parastatals earn more than directors in the core ministries and department.

    “While not canvassing for a downward review of this salary and allowances of this category of workers, considerable review and introduction of some allowances should be contemplated to mitigate this disparity.

    “There is the need to take into account the peculiar nature of the FCT and the high cost of living, housing, transportation among others.”

    The minister also proposed a special allowance for workers living within the FCT saying, “a comparative analysis of the cost of living in nation’s capitals indicate a wide gap in relation to the states across the countries. Hence there is the need to consider special allowance for workers in the FCT.

    “In view of the other core responsibility of the government and the cost of providing social amenities, the proposed review should be fair and considerate.”

    In his presentation, Wabba said the demand for a national minimum wage was in line with ILO Conventions, which prescribe minimum wage so that we can protect the most vulnerable workers from exploitation.

    He said: “The idea is to protect the most vulnerable worker which cut across both the public and private sector. That is the context which we must look.

    “I have heard the argument that the call for minimum wage is trying to bring about an equal wage across the states of the federation. That is not true. When we signed the minimum wage in 2011, some states offered to pay more than N18, 000. What we are saying is that you need to have a minimum, while across the country, you can pay higher. This also applies to the private sector.”

    On the governors who are using the issue of true federalism to demand that they be allowed to fix their own salaries, he said: “I have heard people talk about true federalism and I have checked and discovered that there is nothing like true federalism.

    “I have checked all the vocabulary in political science and discovered that what you have is federalism and not true federalism. What the United States of America (USA) practice is federalism and in federalism, you need to protect the most vulnerable group from exploitation.

    “If you say states should fix their own salaries, what about the private sector? What that means is that there will be exploitation. What we are saying is fix the minimum and not the maximum. We must protect the most vulnerable group in our society.

    “Also, the minimum wage review is evidence based anywhere in the world. So, it is not arbitrarily fixed. ILO says it should be evidence based with empirical data. In some countries like Ghana, they look at inflation.

    “The workers create the wealth and should benefit from the wealth they create. The issue of ability to pay has always come up. We have said that there are several responsibilities that the federal government is handling that they should not be handling.

    “We have agreed in principle that we should take a look at how to distribute our resources, while we work towards increasing internally generated revenue. If all these and more are considered, the will to pay will be there and the way will also be there.”

    In his argument, Aregbesola said the constitution vested in the Federal Government the right to fix minimum wage for all segments of the society. He, however, cautioned that in discussing the minimum wage, it should be done side by side with the issue of productivity.

    He said: “The assembly here this morning is an indication of our commitment to keep faith with our constitution and the national minimum wage is a constitutional one. Item 34 of the exclusive list empower the Federal Government to deal with the issue of Labour, in losing proscribing the national minimum wage for the federation.

    “This committee comprises of government, both at the federal and state levels, organised labour and the organised private sector in accordance with ILO Conventions.

    “Its task cannot be adequately carried out without the dill consultation which this public hearing provides. I therefore urge you all to make your input dispassionately.

    “We have all along been concentrating on cost of living which is also important. However, in your contribution, let us also look at productivity index, so as to get the best for the economy. By so doing, we will be enriching the outcome of this debate and making it less controversial and more amenable to implementation.”

    NUP Deputy President Aminu Ayuba said the Nigerian laws stipulate that pension should be reviewed every five years or whenever salaries are being reviewed.

    He said that prescribing a minimum pension remained the only way to review the low pensions being paid by all tiers of government.

    At the Southeast centre in Enugu, stakeholders urged the federal and state governments, as well as private employers, to facilitate payment of the new minimum wage to reduce the suffering of workers.

    Speaking for the local chapter of the NLC in the Southeast, Virginus Nwobodo said that the new minimum wage review and implementation had been overdue.

    Nwobodo, who doubles as the NLC Chairman in Enugu State, said that N66, 500 should be the takeoff point as a minimum wage, arguing that it has become difficult for workers to live on N18, 000 with families and dependants to take care of.

    He said: “It is long overdue and we are asking for nothing less than N66, 500 to meet the current socio-economic realities.’’

    Chukwuma Igbokwe, who spoke for the TUC in the region,  called on the Federal Government to conduct a public hearing on political office holders’ wages, so that it would be reviewed.

    Igbokwe said that the huge amount being collected by politicians across board was inimical to the purchasing power of workers, since both patronised the same market.

    NUP zonal chair, Chukwuma Udesi, called on the government to inaugurate a Committee for the National Minimum Wage for Pensioners.

    He said that by so doing, pensioners would start enjoying increment like other workers.

    Udesi said: “NUP is demanding a minimum of N40,000 to meet the basic needs of a pensioner and reduce their sufferings.’’

    He urged Abia and Imo state’s governors to pay the backlog of pension arrears in their state.

    In his remarks, Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano said that the state would remain labour-friendly and implement any fair agreement reached and concluded by the tripartite committee. He was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Labour Matters Godwin Igbokwe.

    He noted that the government had assured the state workers of increment in their salaries.

    His words: “The state government is ready to implement the increase but wants to wait for the tripartite committee to conclude their assignment. Hopefully in July this year, I assure you that Anambra will be the first to implement.”

     

    Purpose of hearings

     

    The Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, Ms. Ama Pepple, said that the public hearings, simultaneously on-going in eight centres, was meant to collate the aggregate views of the people, especially organised labour, employers and groups.

    Ms. Pepple said that the exercise would enrich the outcome and make the implementation of the new minimum wage easier, since everybody would be taken into account.

     

     

     

    She said: “We have assembled here this morning to collectively exchange ideas in the ongoing efforts by government aimed at establishing a new National Minimum Wage for Nigerian workers. As it is the practice the world over, a minimum wage, once established, is reviewed from time to time in accordance with economic realities.”

    The demand was not different at the Northwest zonal hearing in Kaduna.

    Defending the 40, 000 payment for retirees, NUP President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, argued that the N18, 000 can no longer sustain the standard of living of an average worker, who must meet up with the basic needs of life.

    Afolayan said: “Nigerian pensioners are also confronted with the above enumerated social problems in addition to their age-related health challenges.”

    Represented by his vice, Sani Muhammad, the NUP chief said: “The agitation for minimum pension alongside minimum wage has been going on since the of our union in 1978.

    “This is to correct the ugly situation whereby some pensioners particularly at the state level, earn as low as N2, 000 per month.”

    The TUC faulted the rise in price of food stuff, transport fare, which it said have gun up by 80 per cent, while only the cost of labour remains stagnant.

    Awwalu Mudi Yakasai, who represented the local chapter of the TUC/NLC in Kano State chapter, called for reasonable improvement of the minimum wage, considering the hardship faced by workers whom have families to cater for.

    The TUC chairman in Kaduna State, Shehu Muhammad, told reporters his views on the anticipated minimum wage.

    He said the decision to setup a tripartite committee was a calculated move to strike a balance among all stakeholders.

    Muhammad said: “We are not expecting any resistance from any government in Nigeria, because there interest is well represented in the meeting.

    “We have taken that as a mistake from our own part. That is why this time around the committee is tripartite in nature. We have the representative of governors, Federal Government and the labour organisations.

    “So, whatever decision reached at the end of the committee submission is going to be all encompassing, and include the decision and agreement of the state governors, Federal Government and the labour.

    Gombe State Governor and the chairman of the National minimum wage from the Northwest, Ibrahim Dankwanbo assured that the interest of the labour union will be deliberated upon and a minimum wage figure will be released on a tripartite agreement.

    Dakwambo said: “It is a matter of relying on the indices, inflationary trends of the country, the devaluation of the Naira, our own living standards and a host of other indices we have taken into consideration.”

    He was represented by the TUC National President, Boboye Bala Kaigama.

    Dakwambo said: “The state governments will make their own decision, while the organized private sector will do the same. At the end of the day, we will collate them, and I assure you that with the sprite of tripartism, we will come up with a national minimum wage figure that will be acceptable to all.”

     

  • Labour leaders hopeful of living wage for workers

    Labour leaders hopeful of living wage for workers

    •Wants report within six months

    Following the inauguration of the 30-member committee to deliberate on a national minimum wage by President Muhammadu Buhari, labour leaders are hopeful of securing a living wage for workers from their employers, reports TOBA AGBOOLA. 

    EIGHTEEN months after organised labour mooted an idea for a wage increase for government workers, a positive response may soon come for the unions.

    The unions at the 2016 May Day anniversary reechoed their proposal for N56,000 minimum wage for workers. They argued that N18, 000 was no longer realistic as the minimum wage going by the prevailing economic realities.

    The green light came on Monday with the inauguration of a 30-member committee by President Muhammadu Buhari to review the minimum wage.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in March 2011, signed the N18, 000 New Minimum Wage Act into Law after a legendary struggle by the unions for a living wage for their members.

    The N18, 000 minimum wage was a review from N7, 000. Its historic signing came after more than three years of agitations, prolonged negotiations and threats of strikes by the organised labour.

    With the inauguration of the minimum wage committee by the President, the workers are back on a familiar turf – a new round of negotiations to determine a national minimum wage.

    Although the workers are optimistic of a pay rise, the instability in the economy is a source of concern. But, whether the government will accede to the labour’s demand or not, is something that will be determined in the weeks ahead.

    The agitated workers’ unions have called on the national wage review panel to consider their plight and pensioners’ during its deliberations.

    The leaders, who are members of the committee, spoke with The Nation. According to them, what the Nigerian worker needs now, is a living wage and not minimum wage, saying that the inauguration of the committee was long overdue and that efforts should be made to fast track its deliberations for workers and retirees to get their accrued benefits.

    They promised to discuss the workers’ proposal with an open mind for the desired result.

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba envisaged social dialogue and collective bargaining discussion at the meetings of the tripartite committee.

    He told The Nation that labour would put its cards on the table for all the parties to discuss in line with the prevailing value of the local currency.

    Wabba said the prevailing exchange rate of the Naira has rendered the N56, 000 proposal as inadequate.minimum wage.

    Commending the President, Wabba described the panel’s inauguration as timely.

    He said: “This is something that workers have long anticipated and our expectation is that we want a speedy process and that the fact that the issues are very obvious.

    “If you look at the exchange rate, N18, 000 minimum wage of 2011 when we signed the agreement was almost equivalent to N110 dollars, but today, N18, 000 is less than 46 dollars.

    “So, this is the reality and with the purchasing power of the ordinary Nigerian worker, the high cost of transaction, our expectation is that the committee should look at the conditions of the workers and pensioners.’’

    He described as unacceptable the payment of N4, 000 as pension to some retirees, urging an immediate review.

    The NLC president argued that such review was imperative to address the issues of social imbalance and inequality in the country.

    He said: “As you are aware, there is lack of employment in the country, therefore, workers have a lot of burden like taking care of their children and other dependents. So, there is no worker today who does not cater for dependants.

    “Therefore, our expectation is that the process must be driven with commitment and above all, they should take into consideration, the condition of workers and pensioners.”

    The General Secretary, Textile Workers Union and a member of NLC, Issa Aremu, lauded the inauguration, saying “it is better late than never.”

    He, however, said that labour will be expecting the committee to come out with their reports within six months.

    Aremu said: “The five-year cycle of the current Minimum Wage Act, legally backing the subsisting negotiated minimum wage of N18, 000 signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 was due for negotiation in 2015 – two years ago.

    “The historic inauguration once again demonstrates the globally-acknowledged concern of President Muhammadu Buhari to the welfare of the workers and citizens in general as contained in the 1999 Constitution.

    “History will record it that at a time some state governors unacceptably defaulted in paying workers as at when due, the President commendably wondered aloud to ask how these governors go to bed when for whatever reasons, their workforce have not been paid.

    “President Buhari has also demonstrated his fatherly concern through serial bailouts of the defaulting states. Nigerian workers are grateful to him for the presidential sensitivity and direct prompt actions on workers’ pay. We also formally thank all progressive governors who pay their workers before their monthly sweat dry”.

    Aremu reminded the three tiers of government that they are not just employers of labour, but also enforcers of labour laws and must therefore take responsibility to ensure minimum standards with respect to decent wages for workers in the public and private sectors.

    He noted that the presidential committee is rich with experienced stakeholders.

    “It is also inclusive of all labour market operators. Under the able chairmanship of Mrs. Amma Pepple – a former Head of Service, the expectations are very high that the negotiation will be fair and just to the workers and national economy in line with the President’s inaugural speech,” he said.

    Aremu said that with the high inflation and Naira devaluation due to fallen crude oil prices, the value of the current minimum wages and pension had been eroded.

    He said: “At the time we submitted our proposal a year ago, at N160 to one dollar, the national minimum wage was about 80 dollars per month. Today with Naira devaluation, national minimum wage is around $40 dollars.

    “The monthly salaries can hardly take the workers home with all the attendant negative implications on income poverty and low productivity. We therefore look forward to a mutually speedy and rewarding negotiation on a new minimum wage.”

    In his reaction, the National President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Mrs. Oyinkan Olasanoye, called on the committee to use the opportunity to bring about economic growth and build a new global economy that put people first without struggling for living minimum wage and pay rise for all its workers.

    Mrs. Olasanoye, who restated workers’ confident in the decision of their leaders and representatives, urged them to come out with something good for their members.

    Her words: “The point cannot be overstated that improved wage is good economics for a developing nation like ours. The low capacity utilisation of the remaining functioning manufacturing industries is due to weak domestic demand. Improved pay to workers will positively re inflate the economy.”

    The NLC General Secretary, Peter Ozo-Eson, said the committee would discuss many issues affecting the minimum wage at its sittings and chart a way forward.

    According to him, it is over two years since the organised labour proposed N56, 000 as minimum wage to the government and will, therefore, look at a number of socio-economic indices to guide its action.

    He said that the workers’ umbrella would be on the lookout for the tripartite group to discuss issues affecting the workers.

    Ozo-Eson said: “We’ll be looking forward to the inaugural sitting of the panel, which I believe, will discuss the facts and economic realities when it starts negotiation.

    “The meeting will not be based on the proposed wage by the NLC/TUC but on what is on ground. A lot of facts will be traded when the committee starts meeting and I hope we will move forward from there.’’

    In his reaction, Igwe Achese, the President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), said he has great expectations that the dream to give workers an improved welfare would be realised during negotiation.

    Achese commended the government for the inauguration of the committee and said he looked forward for the inauguration which he described as a decision in the right direction.

    According to him, his dream of seeing workers earning living wage will be achieved when the committee members begin negotiations.

    He further said that the committee would not focus on the N56, 000 or N96, 000 proposed by labour bodies but on the economic factors that would enable workers earn improved salary.

    The General Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Okugbawa Lumumba, expressed the hope that the principles of full consultation with social partners and their direct participation would be utilised by the committee,

    The point that cannot be overstated is that an improved wage will exponentially rub off on the economy. No doubt, wage increase to workers will positively re-inflate the economy.