The National Assembly has resolved to ensure that states, local governments, and the Organised Private Sector adhere to the newly approved minimum wage.
According to an anonymous source, the Assembly may consider seizing allocations from non-compliant states and local governments.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu announced that the Assembly plans to include strict sanctions for defaulters in the forthcoming minimum wage bill.
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This bill, which President Bola Tinubu has promised to send after the Sallah recess on July 2, aims to address wage disputes between the Federal Government and labor unions.
In his Democracy Day address, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of economic reforms and pledged to forward the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly.
The current negotiations see labor unions demanding N250,000, while the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) offer N62,000, and state governors propose N60,000.
The Assistant General Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Onyeka, rejected the government’s offer, calling it a “starvation wage.” The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, warned that the N250,000 demand could destabilize the economy.
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Adaramodu assured that the new bill would be watertight, with clear sanctions for non-compliance. He emphasized that the bill would ensure all sectors, including the Organised Private Sector and sub-nationals, comply with the new wage laws. The bill will be expedited once received, aiming to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers.
House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda confirmed the House’s eagerness to pass the bill, stressing the need for a living wage that considers the high costs of living.
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NLC National Treasurer Hakeem Ambali highlighted the importance of political will in enforcing the sanctions, urging strong measures to ensure compliance. He emphasized that prioritizing workers’ welfare is crucial for productivity and national development.
As the National Assembly prepares to receive and pass the new minimum wage bill, the focus remains on ensuring fair compensation for all Nigerian workers and enforcing compliance across all sectors.