FG Speaks On Plan To Review Minimum Wage

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige on Monday revealed the plan of the Federal Government (FG) to increase the N30,000 minimum wage.

Ngige, while speaking at the Nigeria Labour Congress public presentation titled, “Contemporary history of working-class struggle” in Abuja, noted that the FG is taking the step due to inflation affecting the world.

He noted that the Nigerian government sees a need to adjust the minimum wage in conformity with what is happening in the world.

Ngige said in the current economic situation, the current minimum wage in the country will not see workers pay transportation fares to work for a month.

According to Ngige, the 2019 Minimum Wage Act has a new clause for review.

The minister noted that the adjustment of the minimum wage has started with the Academic Staff Union of the University.

He said, “the stage they are with their primary employers, Ministry of Education, is a collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

“Under the principles of offer and acceptance, which is that of collective bargaining, ASUU can look at the offer they gave us and make a counter offer, but they have not done that. If they do that, we are bound to look at their offer. These are the ingredients of collective negotiations.”

He further stated that labour provides the riches of any nation as well as the prosperity of every family.

Ngige called on the executives of affiliate unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress to familiarise themselves with labour laws.

The Minister revealed that the Federal Government is making effort to convert the Michael Imodu Institute of Labour Studies, Ilorin, Kwara State, into a degree-awarding institute.