The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reiterated
that the National Minimum Wage law is binding to all, and that state
governors have no right to pay below N30,000.
NLC President, Dr Ayuba Wabba, said this at a one-day review meeting
on the New National Minimum Wage with state council chairmen.
He stressed the need for state governors to ensure the speedy
conclusion of negotiations on implementation of the new wage Act.
Wabba said since the President signed the New Minimum Wage Act to law,
every state governor was bound to respect the new wage structure and
negotiate with labour to decide what the consequential increase should
be.
“All of us are aware that from the day the president signed the
minimum wage bill into law it becomes enforceable.
“It can be enforced through the court of law, and certainly, there is
no excuse for any state to say that it is not going to respect a law
that is actually based on the constitution.
“The national minimum wage is actually a constitutional issue, so
clearly, it is about respecting our laws and also respecting
international conventions and procedures.
“But importantly, it is to respect the principles of Tripatism, social
dialogue in addressing industrial relation issues.
“So clearly, you can see that we are providing this guide, so that we
can also play our role effectively as National Labour Congress, as
workers’ organisation, to be able to see that there is seamless
implementation.
“Where there are challenges we are also ready to intervene in this thing.
“I’m not aware of any governor that will say he will not respect any
provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or an
Act of parliament that was signed by the President.
“I have not heard of any such intune that any governor said he will
not respect the law.
“What I heard is that N30,000 is already a law and that will be the
basis; you can pay higher but you cant pay below N30,000. That is what
the law provides.
“This is where we are and what we are doing to take stock to find out
the situation of where every state is, and local governments, in terms
of the implementation process.”
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, while briefing
State House correspondents said the Federal Government had given Dec.
31, as deadline for payment of arrears on consequential adjustments of
the National Minimum Wage.
Ngige said that the Council also approved the payment of all
outstanding financial implications of the consequential adjustments as
worked out by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission,
beginning from April 18.
