Governors Meet on Minimum Wage
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Wednesday night met in Abuja to discuss issues of minimum wage, insecurity and other matters of interests for the development of the country.
While the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is proposing a minimum wage of N65,000 for workers, the governors have been insisting on the staggering of the implementation of the new wage, if approved.
Also on the meeting agenda was discussion on the issue of insecurity, especially the killings in Jos.
The governors were also expected to meet with the Postmaster-General of the Nigerian Postal Service and the Attorneys General from 36 states of the federation on the contentious issue of Stamp duty.
Part of the agenda was to discuss the face up between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) expected to make representation on the actual oil revenue generation and remittance from the corporation, did not come.
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) was also expected to make presentation to the governors.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) are demanding that decisions on a new minimum wage be concluded by August, rather than the September deadline set by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.
Labour’s position was in reaction to reports credited to Ngige, last week, that only a report on the minimum wage is expected in September.
Regardless, organised labour is insisting that the present negotiation by the tripartite committee be concluded in August; to enable payment to commence in September.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the leadership regarded the minister’s comments on the non-feasibility of september as take-off for the new minimum wage was inconsistent with the fervour so far demonstrated by the tripartite committee.
Said Wabba: ”The minister’s stance is also at variance with the declaration made by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, when he represented Mr. President at this year’s May Day celebrations.
“Osinbajo promised Nigerian workers that government is committed to ensuring that the issue of the new national minimum wage is concluded and delivered” and noted that the minister, who had once been a civil servant, should know the importance of monthly salary to workers.
