According to Vanguard, the current national minimum wage in Nigeria is N30,000, but organised labour is advocating for a significantly higher amount.
Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has urged governors to start setting aside funds to cover the arrears of the new minimum wage once it is agreed upon.
Osifo emphasized that the new minimum wage act should be in place by the end of July or early August.
He expects President Bola Tinubu to assent to the new wage bill once it is passed by the national assembly.
Speaking at the TUC headquarters in Abuja, Osifo addressed stakeholders from Kogi State, led by Onu Edoka, a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and current special adviser to the Kogi State governor on labour matters.
“Regarding the minimum wage, we are no longer focusing on the N30,000 figure,” Osifo stated. “We anticipate that by the end of July or early August, the new minimum wage act will be established.
It should progress from the submission stage to the national assembly, become a bill, and be assented to by the President.”
Osifo continued, “Our goal from both labour centres is to have a new minimum wage in place by the end of July. This wage must go through the necessary processes and receive presidential assent to improve the plight of workers.
With the current economic challenges and skyrocketing inflation, it is crucial that workers can afford basic necessities for their families.”
The organised labour’s push for a new minimum wage underscores the urgency of addressing the financial struggles faced by Nigerian workers amidst rising living costs.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
