FG Sets to Commence Negotiation For New Minimum Wage

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, November 2nd, 2017

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Nigerian workers might soon have cause to smile, as all seems to be set for the Federal Government FG to commence the final negotiation with the Labour on the new minimum wage.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige Thursday, droped this hint during an interview with the State House correspondents at the end of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Dr. Ngigie confirmed that he had cleared nominations into the committee that would come up with a new minimum wage for workers with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He indicated that it was a tripartite panel, including representatives of the Federal and state governments, as well as the private sector.

The Anambra Senator disclosed that all stakeholders had sent in their nomination, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrive at a date for the committee’s inauguration.

“The old (minimum wage) law expired last year August and we are now in the process of empaneling a new national minimum wage committee.

“I have cleared the appointments with the President today (Thursday) and as soon as the labour people come back from the Labour Governing Board meeting in Geneva, we will take a consensus date with the governors because it is a tripartite committee involving federal, states and the private sector: NECA, MAN, NACCIMA, SMEs” Dr. Ngigie confirmed.

He added that the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and Trade Union Congress TUC and their affiliates have made their nominations, noting that what is now left is to finetune the date for inauguration.

Dr. Ngigie was not categorical on the likely new minimum wage.

The present minimum wage in Nigeria is N18, 000, but the Labour movement has pushed for N56, 000 – over 300 per cent of the present least pay in the public sector.