Death of top Nigerian banker shifts focus to lender’s future
NLC leaders (on Tuesday). Photo: The Pulse Nigeria
The governors of the 36 states of Nigeria, who were accused of delaying the decision on the new national minimum wage, have finally agreed to pay a monthly wage of N22,500 (about $72). This is an increase of $13 over the existing wage of $59, which many of them could not pay.
As many as 26 states have not paid workers’ salaries for about 12 months.
The Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, said at the end of their 2nd emergency meeting in Abuja that the decision was arrived at after a briefing from the forum’s representatives at the Tripartite Committee.
He said that the welfare of all Nigerians was the ultimate concern of the governors and that “in all our states, we are concerned about the deteriorating economic situation experienced by the vulnerable segment of our population”.
He said that in agreeing to a National Minimum Wage, the Forum was even more concerned about development, particularly in the health, education and infrastructure spheres.
“It is therefore our considered position that since the percentage of salaried workers is not more than five percent of the total working population, our position must not just reflect a figure, but also a sustainable strategy based on ability and capacity to pay, as well as reflective of all our developmental needs in each State.
“After all, Section 3 of the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission Act provides that “the Commission shall recommend a proposition of income growth which should be initiated for wage increase and also examined the salary structure in public and private sector with reasonable features of relativity and maximum levels, which are in consonance with the national economy.”
The Organised Labour had scheduled Nov. 6 to embark on nationwide strike to compel government to peg a new minimum wage at N30,000 (about $98).
The leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and United Labour Congress of Nigeria (TUC), on Tuesday held mass protest across the country as part of sensitisation of workers and Nigerians for the planned industrial action.
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