Minimum Wage: Speaker Abbas Makes New Pledge To Workers

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has assured Nigerian workers that they will be happy with the outcome of the ongoing review of minimum wage review.

Naija News reports that Abbas said lawmakers are interested in the ongoing review and views that workers, in the end, will get survival wages that will take them home.

The Speaker made the vow on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Policy Dialogue on Corruption, Social Norms and Behaviour Change in Nigerian organized by the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, supported by MacArthur Foundation.

Abbas, who was represented by the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State, Oluwole-Oke, said, “We must acknowledge that there are different factors that influence the attitude or action of citizens to indulge in corruption.

“For instance, the question around a survival wage system is a big factor.

“A situation where the take-home pay of a large segment of the population is unable to take them home is a recipe for all manner of corruption.

“This is why the House of Representatives is particularly interested in the ongoing review of minimum wage in the country. The House, this time around, will ensure that Nigerians get a survival wage that could take them home.

“As lawmakers, there is often a significant societal pressure and expectation placed upon us to provide various services, assistance, and functions that may fall outside the scope of legislative responsibilities.

“I am sure we are familiar with the level of pressure legislators undergo owing to a deluge of requests for financial and corollary assistance from our constituents.

“Make no mistakes about it; this pressure is a fallout from the prevailing poverty rate, precipitated by the factors mentioned above.”

The Speaker further noted that as much as changing social norms is essential for combating corruption; there is an urgent need to tackle those circumstances.

He stated that “Behaviour change interventions aim to challenge existing norms and promote ethical behaviour.

“These interventions can take various forms, including awareness campaigns, education programmes, value reorientation, community engagement initiatives, and legal reforms

“By targeting social norms and promoting ethical behaviour, it is possible to create an environment where corruption is less tolerated and more strongly condemned.

“Let me state that curbing corruption in Nigeria through social norms and behavior change requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.

“By targeting social norms, raising awareness, strengthening institutions, promoting ethical leadership, and implementing effective legal measures, social security policy, it is possible to create a society where corruption is less tolerated and more actively combated.”