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Tag: minimum wage

  • Minimum wage: Makinde kicks as Ajimobi negotiates with labour

    THE Oyo State government will today open discussions with labour leaders on the modalities for the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, it was learnt yesterday.

    It is coming on the heels of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s promise to workers that they would enjoy the new pay as soon as the Federal Government approves it.

    The minimum wage was signed into law by President Muhammad Buhari on April 18.

    The government sent notice of the meeting to the labour leaders following the conduct of their congress, which produced Comrade Titiola Sodo as state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

    The message was signed by the Information Commissioner, Mr. Toye Arulogun.

    But, the Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, cautioned Ajimobi’s administration against the negotiation.

    Makinde, in a statement by his spokesperson, Prince Dotun Oyelade, “queried the intention and sincerity of the outgoing government to open negotiation with the labour unions about 30 days to the exit of the Ajimobi.

    The governor-elect said there “is nothing the lame duck government wants to achieve other than to complicate things for the incoming government in exactly the same manner it is doing in awarding fresh contracts and rolling out largesse to fellow politicians and friends”.

    Emphasising that he looks forward to a progressive relationship with the new Sodo-led NLC excos, Makinde warns against what he described as “any booby traps in the planned negotiation by the outgoing government”.

    The governor-elect noted that he was satisfied with the level of the rapport he had with the NLC during and after the election and hope that this would be maintained as the new NLC executive assumes the mantle of leadership.

    He reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that nothing short of the interest of workers would be acceptable to his administration.

    Makinde applauded the rancour-free consensus that heralded the new chairman as a good sign that democratic maturity has always been a virtue of the NLC, saying he believes that the new NLC leadership is circumspect enough to understand the ongoing theatrics.

  • Minimum wage: We are ready to pay —Bauchi

    The Bauchi State government has expressed readiness  to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage recently  signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, to improve the welfare of civil servants in the state.

    Speaking  in a telephone interview with The Nation Correspondent on Friday night, the State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Umar Sade, said the outgoing governor,  Muhammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  led administration  has been an advocate of the new minimum wage for civil servants.

    He said though the governor is ready to pay the new minimum wage but he doesn’t know the stand of the  incoming government of the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, led administration in the state.

    “We are ready to implement new minimum wage but we don’t know about the incoming administration. Whether they can pay or cannot pay. The governor himself has been agitating for the increment and he is ready to do it.

    ” The governor has been paying salaries of workers promptly because he has the issue of the workers at heart but you know we are now in a transition period, we don’t know the stand of the incoming government on it.”

    Meanwhile, The Nigerian Labour Congress ,NLC, in Bauchi State has  expressed optimism that the outgoing  governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar will implement the new minimum wage .

    Also, speaking in a telephone interview with The Nation Correspondent , The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Hashimu Muhammad Gital, said the Union is happy that the new minimum wage has been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari  and doesn’t contemplate any reason why the state will not implement it.

    ” We are happy that the minimum wage has been signed into law by President Buhari and it has become a law ‘ We don’t contemplate any reason why the state will not pay after all necessary things has been put into consideration before its implementation.

    “Bauchi State has not been lagging behind in any issue that has to do with workers remuneration. Dating back to history, there has not been any new minimum wage implemented that the state fails to comply with, we are very sure the state will pay.

    “We are very positive and we have congratulated our members because this one will be a reality, ” he said.

    When asked if the state labour congress  would embark  on a strike action if the government fails to pay the minimum wage, Gital said the decision to embark on any strike action lies in hands of the national body of the Congress.

    Meanwhile, all efforts to get the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Zainabari Yaya to speak on the new minimum wage   proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

  • Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Benue ready for N30,000 minimum wage

    GOVERNORS Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abdulfatah Ahmed Kwara) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) have assured workers of their readiness to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage.

    They spoke yesterday at different fora on the minimum wage, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari

    Fayemi said the welfare of the workers had always been his concern, stressing that his government would pay  the minimum wage for effective and efficient service delivery.

    The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the Nigeria Labour Congress  (NLC) delegates’ conference, where Olatunde Kolapo was elected as the new chairman of the state NLC.

    He said the newly elected leadership of the trade unions would be invited soon for a meeting on the modalities to ensure the payment.

    He announced that facilities at government offices would be upgraded and conducive environment would be provided to ensure the optimal performance of workers.

    At the event, NLC National President Ayuba Wabba, who was represented by an ex-officio, Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, stated that the workers would not accept any minimum wage that is less than N30,000 from the governors.

    Read also: Minimum wage ‘ll give workers sense of belonging, says TUC

    Wabba said the new minimum wage has become binding, having been signed into law by the President, stressing that the excuses by some governors that they would not be able to pay was not tenable.

    But, Akeredolu pleaded with the Federal Government to review the present revenue sharing formula to enable states to cope with the new increment.

    He spoke through the Head of Service (HoS) Toyin Akinkuotu during the election of Mr. Sunday Adeleye as the state NLC Chairman.

    The governor said: “We are not against the new minimum wage and if we are not against it, we are in support. Our prayer is that the Federal Government should look into the revenue allocation sharing formula, by giving more money to states and local governments to enable them to implement the new minimum wage”.

    Congratulating the new NLC executives, the governor, who hailed the peaceful conduct of the election,  advised workers to cooperate with the new executives.

    To Ortom, workers deserved more than N30,000 minimum wage if funds were available to pay.

    The governor said consultations would soon begin towards successful implementation of the new wage.

    The governor, however, called on the Federal Government to review the Revenue Allocation Formula in favour of states to facilitate the smooth implementation of the new wage.

    He spoke at the JS Tarka Foundation, Makurdi while opening the Benue State NLC Council delegates’ conference.

    Ortom urged those that would be elected at the conference to brace and provide selfless service to the organised labour, stressing that they should be servant leaders.

    Ahmed said his administration was also committed to paying the new minimum wage.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications Dr. Muyideen Akorede said “in this regard, the government set up a committee headed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Susan, to work out the modalities and sources of revenue for the payment months before the President signed the new minimum wage into law”.

    “The committee is expected to submit its report to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed next two weeks,” the media aide said.

    Ahmed said the state government did not owe core civil servants any salary arrears.

    But, he stated that the state government is owing junior secondary school teachers and local government workers some months’ salaries.

    The state is claiming that the junior teachers and council workers are in the payroll of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    Teachers under the aegis of Kwara State Concerned Teachers have blamed their predicament on Nigerian Union of Teachers’ (NUT) leaders.

    The group said the NUT leaders had mortgaged the welfare and interest of its members.

  • Minimum wage ‘ll give workers sense of belonging, says TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said the new N30,000 minimum wage will give workers a sense of belonging.

    In a statement TUC commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Minimum Wage Bill into law.

    Its President, Bobboi Kaigama and Secretary-General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said the new wage will in no small measure give workers a sense of belonging, saying the organised labour appreciated its approval, but that its gains have been eroded by inflation as prices of commodities have gone up when employees were yet to receive the new wage.

    Read also: Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Benue ready for N30,000 minimum wage

    “The N30,000 monthly National Minimum Wage that we are asking for a family of six, amounts to less than N50 per meal per person. It is exclusive of utility bills, school fees and many others.

    “Given our extended family system as Africans, we are also expected to assist parents, in-laws, relations and friends, who have lost their jobs,” the TUC said.

    The union called on the 9th Assembly to prevail on governors to pay workers their salaries and pension to retirees as and when due to avoid crisis in the industrial sector, adding that it appreciated the government, the lawmakers and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) for seeing reason with workers.

  • Minimum wage: We’ll not accept anything below N30,000, Labour tells governors

    Organised labour on Thursday warned that no state chapter of labour movement would accept any renegotiation for downward review of the already signed minimum wage law of N30,000 from any state governor.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the declaration in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, while presiding over the election of new leadership of NLC in the state.

    He stated that the Nigerian workers were under strict instructions not to accept any minimum wage less than N30,000 from the governors.

    Wabba said the new minimum wage had become binding, having been aproved by the two chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said that the excuses by some governors that they could not pay the new wage was an afterthought and therefore untenable.

    Read also: Minimum wage: Organised Labour wants immediate implementation

    At the state NLC delegates conference, where the former Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, Ekiti State University Branch, Mr Olatunde Kolapo, was elected as the new state chairman, Waba insisted that the new wage would not be compromised under any guise.

    Kolapo emerged unopposed among other executive members that were elected.

    NAN reports that Wabba, whose address was delivered by an Ex-officio member of the Congress, Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, said the Congress would not take anything short of N30,000 as minimum wage from state governors since it had become “a law binding on everybody”.

    “Once the minimum wage bill has been signed by President Buhari it has become a law and we won’t allow any governor to circumvent the law

    “What we asked for was a living wage and we cannot allow anybody to shortchange our members,” he said.

    Wabba urged the new labour leaders in the state to be resolute and committed in the struggle for improved welfare of their members, saying that should be done without compromise.

    Performing the opening ceremony, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Biodun Omoleye, promised the readiness of state government to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The governor said the newly-elected leadership of the trade unions in the state would be invited soon for a meeting on the modalties for the payment.(NAN)

  • NECA urges employers on new minimum wage

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Council (NECA) has urged employers of labour to implement the new minimum wage of N30,000, which has received President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent.

    Its Director-General, Mr Timothy Olawale said the National Minimum Wage is not a general salary increase, but a wage below which no employer should pay.

    While affirming organised businesses’ commitment to the implementation of the new wage, Mr. Olawale said: “We reiterate the commitment of employers in the private sector to the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.

    “The wage is not a general salary increase, but a wage below which no employer should pay.

    “As such, employers who are already paying above N30,000 are not obligated to comply. In the same vein, we expect other Social Partners to also respect this understanding, so as not to jeopardise the industrial harmony in the private sector by insisting on implementation by organisations already paying above N30,000.”

    While commending Buhari, Olawale said payment of the new wage should start immediately.

    “Organised businesses wish to commend the president for promptly attending to the National Minimum Wage Bill as sent to him by the National Assembly. It is an indication of the passion and concern of the president for the welfare of the masses and working class in particular. We believe that the implementation date will be the date of assent,” Olawale said.

    Meanwhile, President Buhari at the signing of the bill,  was quoted to have said he expected  workers to be more committed to their jobs.

    “I expect them (workers) to be more committed to their work at whichever level. I will like, with the cooperation of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), to look at the economic situation of the country, the population, the poor infrastructure that we are trying to fix in terms of roads, rail and power.

    So, I wish Nigerian workers the best of luck,” he  said in a brief speech.

  • Group to governors: emulate Buhari on minimum wage

    As the nation’s workforce continue to heave a sigh of relief following Presidential assent to 30,000 Naira minimum wage bill, state governors have been urged to sustain the tempo.

    The call was made on Sunday by the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mr Akin Malaolu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 30,000 Naira minimum wage bill into law on Thursday, to replace N18,000, to improve living standard in the country.

    According to Malaolu, the President’s action is an indication that he prioritises the nation’s wellbeing above self-gains.

    “The Buhari-led government highly recognises synergy between workers well-being and national development, hence the need for state governors to key into the idea.

    “We are appealing to the 36 state governors, other political leaders and elders to cause a stem in profligacy and other abuses that may be associated with handling of state funds.

    “The most important asset of a nation is its human capital; if well managed, other resources will definitely blossom and the nation will soar on a trajectory of economic greatness.

    “Each state government is expected to imbibe that notion as exemplified by President Buhari and bring development through conscious efforts to boost workers’ morale so that they will be more productive,’’ he said.

    The scribe noted that high productivity was achievable even in Nigeria where most states largely depended on allocation from the Federal government.

    “The era of sole dependence on Federal allocation should be discarded; state governments should start looking inward with developmental innovations in order to be relevant to its people.

    “State governors should be more sincere about state mineral resources and stop under-table explorations which only enrich a few and impoverish the rest.

    “A situation whereby state minerals are illegally explored and exported raw without adding value should end; companies should be established to add value and create more employment.

    “Similarly, tourism can be better explored for the world to see the rich cultural heritage in every part of the nation.

    “That will generate more revenue for state governments to pay their workers, provide infrastructures and be alive to other responsibilities.’’

    Malaolu also reflected on jubilations that followed the Presidential assent to the bill, saying it was an indication that the people appreciated the government.

    “Assent to the bill after the presidential election has shown that the deliberate efforts of this government at its conception were not mere political propaganda and ploy for vote buying.

    “Our leadership forum is also in the same spirit like all Nigerians everywhere; but the road to achieving new wage increase must not be forgotten too soon.

    “Even as the price of crude oil per barrel stood between 90-105 dollars between 2011 and 2014, it did not translate to increase in foreign reserves.

    “Buhari’s administration started afresh with steady and trusted hands to rebuild Nigeria all together again; with consequent slip in the global price of crude oil to 45 dollars per barrel by 2015, the road took the nation into recession.

    “But he was able to still save to increase our reserves to 44 billion dollars and with nationwide infrastructure development in all sectors,’’ he said.

    The group also felicitated with Christians around the world as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, urging them to emulate His virtues. (NAN)

  • New minimum wage: NLC, TUC hail Buhari

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) asked employers of labour, especially states and federal government to immediately commence the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage following the signing into law of the minimum wage bill by the President.

    The unions in separate statements  commended the President for signing the bill  into law.

    The  NLC described  the  bill signing as  only the first step and called for the immediate implementation of the law, given the fact that this process has dragged on for nearly two years.

    It advised employers, particularly federal and state governments, to commence immediate negotiations with the  appropriate unions on the impact of the new law on the wage structure with a view to timely and judicious implementation.

    On its part, the TUC said the new wage would in no small measure give workers a sense of belonging.

    The TUC said while organised labour appreciates the approval of the new wage, it is also instructive to note that its gains have been eroded by inflation, adding that prices of commodities have gone up even when employers have not commenced payment.

    Read also: New minimum wage ‘ll cause chaos —Tony Momoh

    It said: “the N30,000 monthly National Minimum Wage that we are even  asking for a family of six actually amounts to less than N50 per meal per person. It is exclusive of utility bills, school fees, etc.

    “Given our extended family system as Africans we are also expected to once in a while extend hands of fellowship to parents, in-laws, relations, friends who have lost their jobs, brothers and people of the same faith.

    “We recall that some lawmakers promised to give the wage bill supersonic attention whenever it was brought before them and they have kept to their word. To us it means we still have men and women with milk of kindness left in them.”

    The TUC asked the President, the National Assembly and well meaning Nigerians to prevail on governors to pay workers their salaries and pension to pensioners as and when due to avoid crisis in the industrial sector.

  • Kano, Zamfara, Kwara, Rivers, Kogi, Edo ready to pay N30,000 minimum wage

    The governments of Kano, Zamfara, Kwara, Rivers, Kogi and Edo States have agreed to pay the new minimum wage of N30,000.

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said in Kano his administration has given priority to the welfare of civil servants in the state, and that is why it is not owning its workers.

    “We are ready to pay N30,000 monthly salary, because the welfare of our workers is paramount to anything and we will always give it. We will pay the N30,000,” he said.

    Governor Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar said in Gusau that  Zamfara State under his watch would do everything possible to ensure the welfare of workers in the state does not suffer.

    Yari who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Public Enlightenment, Malam Ibrahim Dosara said that any state government with the interest of workers at heart will ensure the quick implementation of the new minimum wage.

    The Osun State government said it will await guidelines on payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr. Adesina Adeniyi, in a telephone chat, said since it is already a law the state will only wait for the implementation guidelines of the minimum wage.

    According to him, when the guidelines are released the state will study, understand and eventually go into its implementation.

    He said the state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, is concerned about the welfare of people of the state, including the civil servants, and therefore, will have no difficulty in ensuring that “what is necessary is done at all times.”

    The Kwara State government is also prepared for the payment of the new minimum wage, according to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s  Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications Dr Muyideen Akorede.

    Read also: New minimum wage: NLC, TUC hail Buhari

    Akorede recalled how the state government set up a committee headed by the Head of Service Modupe Susan to work out the modalities and sources of revenue for payment months before the president signed the new into law.

    “The committee is expected to submit its report to Governor Ahmed in the next two weeks,” he said.

    A similar committee was set up by the Kogi State government  and the government says  “laws are made to be obeyed and we are sure the Federal Government will make it convenient for states to pay the new minimum wage.”

    It welcomed the signing of the bill into law adding: “a committee was set up to look into the modalities of making compliance easy. Kogi State will work with whatever is agreed by the Governors’ Forum.

    “As a government, we will also look inwards to ensure we put smiles on the faces of our civil servants who have shown unprecedented cooperation with our administration.”

    The Niger State government disposed to paying the new minimum wage

    Kogi State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello will pay the new minimum wage of N30,000.

    Mr.Jide Orintunsin, the  Media and Publicity Coordinator to Governor Abubakar Bello said:”It will be recalled that the state workforce had a 25 per cent salary increase recently. This has placed the state higher than the former minimum wage.

    “Governor Sani Bello, early this year,  had assured the state workforce of the new minimum wage at a special session he had with organised labour recently. He is committed to ensuring the welfare of the state workforce.”

    The Delta State government said yesterday it was looking at the law to enable it take an appropriate action.

    “We have not read the details of the new law since it was only signed yesterday by Mr. President. When we do we will look at our processes and of course Delta State is not going to be an outcast. We will look at it and take a decision, ” Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said in Asaba.

    He said focus should be on the ability of the organised private sector to pay the new wage structure, while expressing doubts over the ability of many businesses to cope.

    “In my opinion, media outfits should be interested in the private sector. How many companies can afford the new minimum wage as the law also binds them,” he said, and expressed fears that the new law might  force many in the organised private sector to lay off workers which may be detrimental to the economy.

    The Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike said  he would comply with the provisions of the new minimum wage law.

    Wike who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah,  a lawyer in Port Harcourt,  the state capital yesterday,  said “Rivers state Government will pay whatever is prescribed as the new minimum wage bill.”

     

     The Edo State Government will also pay

    The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said  that the new minimum wage would be paid to Edo workers.

    Osagie was however silent on when the state government would commence payment.

    He said the state government is labour friendly.

    Although none of the Cross River State Governor’s aides could be reached yesterday to comment on the issue, Governor Ben Ayade had in January agreed pay the then proposed N30, 000 minimum wage demanded by workers in the country.

    The governor had at various times expressed his commitment to the welfare of workers in the state, which many believe is exemplified in the fact that he does not owe workers and pays promptly.

    While addressing workers who had embarked on a state wide protest to call for the implementation of the new minimum wage law in the country, Ayade who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon John Ulafor, had said it was the right step to take.

    “This is the right step to take and I wish to thank workers in the state for embarking on a peaceful protest. The new wage is workers right and as a workers friendly government we have always ensured that you get your salaries on time.

    “N30, 000 is all right and the state government will stand with labour in this regard and I wish to assure you that government will ensure that the new wage sails through because it is not beyond the state government to pay.

    “Whatever we need to do extra to ensure that the federal government implements the new minimum wage bill for workers will be done,” Ayade had assured then.

  • New minimum wage ‘ll cause chaos —Tony Momoh

    While workers across the country are celebrating the newly signed into law national minimum wage, a former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh has warned that it may lead to chaos.

    Momoh, who spoke in Abuja during a chat with journalists yesterday as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday, said the so called minimum wage is not a living wage.

    He said: “My prediction is that the N30,000 minimum wage will cause chaos because many state governments that were paying N7,500 before N18,000 was introduced could not pay then.

    “A lot of them are currently finding it difficult to pay N18,000 now. They are already saying they can’t pay, and this would lead to strikes. When that happens, the nation is in trouble.

    “The N30,000 minimum wage is not a living wage. What is the percentage of the workers in Nigeria that are entitled to the N30,000 minimum wage? What is the percentage of the public servants compared to the percentage of the entire working population in Nigeria?”

    Prince Momoh, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also posited that the idea of party supremacy will not work when it comes to the issue of National Assembly.

    He stressed that party supremacy would have been possible if the country is running a parliamentary system of government.

    He therefore noted that under the current presidential system of government, the party may not have its way with respect to imposing its candidates on the National Assembly.

    He said, “The National Assembly has its own personality that it protects in spite of political party differences. It has always been so since 1999. There has been no effective party supremacy.

    “Party supremacy cannot be effective in the presidential system because it stands alone. It can only succeeds if there is cooperation not by imposition.

    “In 1999, Evans Enwerem was not the choice of the senators. They wanted Chuba Okadigbo. So, Enwerem did not last when he emerged.

    “Also in 2015, the party wanted Femi Gbajabiamila but Yakubu Dogara got it.

    “Since 1999, there have always been problems between the legislators and the party candidates. The legislators come together to pursue common interests and party supremacy is obviously not one of them.

    “In the parliamentary system, the party with the majority will dominate leadership positions in the legislators. The prime minister is also a member of the parliament.”

    The elder statesman also advocated restructuring as the only way of resolving the numerous challenges confronting the country.

    According to him, “Nigeria is too top-heavy in administering governance, and we need to decongest the political space.

    “National Assembly makes law in 93 areas comprising the exclusive and concurrence lists.

    “In federations worldwide, we don’t need more than 18. The rest should go to regions; they know what to do with it”.