Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu has said that the federal government has commenced the payment of minimum wage at the federal level.

Wogu disclosed that the federal government initiated the process of the New National Minimum Wage and President Goodluck Jonathan, has shown great political will to implement the recommended and approved New National Minimum Wage now before the National Assembly for passage into law.

“It is relevant to remind members of the public that the Federal Government is already paying minimum of Seventeen Thousand Naira monthly salary through the Restoration of Pay Relativity in the salary of Federal Civil Servants and as such, additional One Thousand Naira will in no way be a challenge to attain the agreed Eighteen Thousand Naira minimum monthly salary”, Wogu added.

He said it was regrettable that the Media quoted the Minister out of context as saying that the “Federal Government cannot pay Minimum Wage”. “This is nothing but a misinformation”, the Minister pointed out.

Recalling his words, Wogu had said “Considering the trend of events, it is grossly inadequate to run the headquarters and Parastatals, especially with current industrial related unrest at hand and the expected ones that may emerge due to Minimum Wage request nationwide resulting from the global economic meltdown.

“Our budgets are prepared and tailored to provide avenues for timely policy response and intervention to the sometime volatile labour related social environment that faces the nation”, “however it is instructive of note that labour activities cut across all MDA’S which demand the understanding and support of the distinguished members of the NASS to enable the Ministry to be more proactive and responsive to industrial unrest.”

Chief Wogu therefore called on all stakeholders in the labour sector, organized labour unions, Nigerian Workers, the Media and social partners to disregard the publication as the Federal Government is committed to assent and implement the New National Minimum Wage Bill immediately it is passed by the National Assembly.

“I hereby call on all stakeholders in the labour sector, organized labour unions, Nigerian Workers and our social partners to disregard the publication as the Federal Government is committed to assent and implement the New National Minimum Wage Bill immediately it is passed by the National Assembly”, the Labour Minister assured.