In a bid to ensure the effective implementation of the new minimum wage across Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has proposed stringent measures, including sanctions for governors and local government administrators who fail to comply.
Hakeem Ambali, the National Treasurer of the NLC, revealed this during an interview with the PUNCH in Abuja, stating the absence of punitive measures in the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 as a contributing factor to the non-compliance by some state governors.
Ambali stated the need of updating the legislation to reflect the current economic realities, citing the recent cessation of fuel subsidy as a factor exacerbating the financial strain on Nigerian citizens.
“In the new minimum wage bill, which is soon to be signed into law by the President, we have incorporated internal clauses to ensure governors adhere to the stipulated wage standards,” Ambali stated. “These clauses include provisions for sanctions and increased allocations to local governments to eliminate excuses for non-payment.”
The proactive approach by the NLC comes amidst ongoing discussions within the 37-member committee appointed by the Federal Government to review and recommend a new national minimum wage. The committee, comprising representatives from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labor, is set to convene this week to deliberate on proposals submitted from various zones across the country.
President Bola Tinubu, through his Vice-president Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the committee on January 30, 2024, underscoring the importance of addressing wage disparities and mitigating the impact of economic reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies.
During public hearings, different regions proposed varying amounts for the new minimum wage, reflecting regional economic disparities. Suggestions ranged from N485,000 in the North-West to N850,000 in the South-South.
