- Gov Aiyedatiwa, Oyebanji Approve 73,000
- Gov Namadi suspends Aid Over Minimum Wage Comment
- Tinubu Betrayed Us – NLC Alaero
For weeks, the Federal Government, state governments, and Organised Labour have been locked in contentious negotiations regarding the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, which is set to be implemented over the next five years.
The current minimum wage of N30,000, established in 2019, represents a notable increase from the previous N18,000 rate, which had been in place since 2011. Under the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act, a review of the minimum wage is mandated every five years.
Since early 2024, Organised Labour has been advocating for a comprehensive reassessment of the national minimum wage. Labour unions argue that any new wage must sufficiently alleviate the economic challenges faced by the average Nigerian worker, which have worsened significantly following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira by the current administration.
According to the labour unions, the new minimum wage was agreed upon to be appreciable enough to rescue the average Nigerian worker from the prevailing economic hardship afflicting the land.
READ ALSO: Fuel Hike Price: LCCI Urges FG To Clarify Subsidy Policy, Laments 430% Increase Since Tinubu Assumed Office
In a recent development, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has continued to express concerns, noting that the reasons Organised Labour accepted N70,000 as the new minimum wage during the roundtable talks at the Presidential Villa are being jeopardized.
He revealed that after Organised Labour had agreed with the president on the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative, they proceeded to negotiate with a team of experts who agreed to convert vehicles to CNG at the rate of N300,000.
Ajaero also stated that the union, comprising both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), initially proposed N250,000 as the new minimum wage but later settled for N70,000 from the president.
The Labour president claimed that the Federal Government betrayed the union’s trust with the petrol price increase.
His words: “I have to narrate the scenario to you, and then we can choose the appropriate word, whether it is betrayal, deceit, or whatever.
“While we were discussing, we stalemated at N62,000. Even the states were saying they wouldn’t pay, so there was a stalemate that took us to Mr. President.
“We insisted on N250,000, and Mr. President, at the meeting, turned to me and said, ‘Ajaero, you are the person holding my hand from increasing further.’
“And I said, ‘Increase what?’ The president said, ‘Since I said the subsidy is gone, we should have gotten the appropriate price. We should have increased. I want to sponsor you, Labour, to travel to these West African countries and know how much they are paying.
“Some are paying N2,000, N1,800, N1,700.’ As he announced it, we declined immediately that we were not going to accept that sponsorship.
READ ALSO: “Reduce Fuel, Food Prices” – Ndume To Tinubu
“He said, ‘Okay, I will go to my office for one hour. You guys decide; if you agree for me to increase the price of petroleum products, I will pay you N250,000 minimum wage. If not, you take this N62,000.’
“But we said, ‘Mr. President, no, we can’t sit down here and decide in your office. We will take about one week to go back, discuss, and get back to you,’ which was exactly what happened, and we adjourned for one week.
“When we reconvened, we made it clear to Mr. President that we didn’t have any mandate to discuss the price of petroleum products or any increase. We were only there to discuss minimum wage, and we were only going to discuss minimum wage. Based on that, we accepted N70,000.”
On Monday, July 29, 2024, President Tinubu signed the new law at the Council Chamber of Aso Rock. Two months later, civil servants are decrying the delay in implementation.
The development is contrary to an earlier statement by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who had said that payment would commence on May 1, 2024.
Earlier, it was reported that the Federal Government appears to have commenced a selective payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage, which has triggered fresh tension among federal public workers. Most of those yet to be paid have decried the development.
According to some staff members of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), who haven’t seen any additions to their salaries, this is the height of insensitivity on the part of the government, whose policies have brought hardship and hunger.
While the Accountant-General’s office stated that the new minimum wage was included with the September salary, the Budget Office said N40,000 was paid across the board to all federal workers, though workers are denying this.
Similarly, some governors across the 36 states have accepted and approved payment, but civil servants are patiently waiting for it to take effect. Some governors have remained silent, highlighting the challenges of meeting this commitment.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced a new minimum wage of seventy-three thousand naira for civil servants in the state.
The governor made the announcement on Saturday during the APC Governorship campaign flag-off at Ondo Township Stadium.
He said, “On November 16, I urge everyone gathered here and those who are not present to convert your support into votes for the APC to ensure the continuation of our significant progress in the state.
“Based on reports and my personal observations, I am confident that you all want this administration to continue beyond 2024. I see the love and appreciation from you, and I do not take it for granted. The best way to demonstrate this love is to vote for continuity, which will bring even more dividends of democracy.”
Oyebanji
Governor Oyebanji assured that his administration is ready to commence the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage, which he described as a law that must be obeyed. However, he noted that a slight delay is being experienced in the state due to the need to capture pensioners, teachers, state workers, and local government workers together.
Jigawa Governor Suspends His Special Adviser
The suspension of Jigawa State Governor’s Special Adviser was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, in a statement made available to *Tribune Online* by the Public Relations Officer to the Secretary to the Government, Comrade Ismaila Ibrahim.
According to the statement, the suspension of the governor’s aide follows his alleged involvement in a purported media report which stated that Governor Namadi had approved N70,000 minimum wage for the state’s civil servants, a claim the governor later denied in an audio clip sent to the state’s radio station.
The governor expressed frustration at the action of his aide, calling it “embarrassing and premature,” as the committee, headed by the Head of the State Civil Service and set up by the government to advise on the appropriate wage, has yet to complete its assignment and submit a report.
So far, governors who have approved the new minimum wage include Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
