Lawmakers Push For Minimum Wage Increase Above ₦100,000

Lawmakers Push For Minimum Wage Increase Above ₦100,000

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives, elected on the platform of opposition political parties, have urged the Federal Government to implement a new minimum wage exceeding ₦100,000 to address the demands of organized labor. Naija News reports that organized labor is advocating for a minimum wage of ₦494,000, compared to the ₦60,000 proposed by the Federal Government…………CONTINUE READING

In an interview with Punch on Tuesday, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, asserted that failing to pay a living wage is a constitutional violation. He stated, “In Nigeria today, any wage below $200 (₦298,800) is ridiculous. The Nigerian worker is heavily underpaid, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens. Failure to pay a living wage is unconstitutional as it neglects the welfare of citizens.

“Public and government officers should receive monthly wages while we consider an hourly rate for private or casual employees. The earlier the government resolves this matter with labor unions, the better.”

Oluwole Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Osun State, argued that paying a living wage would help most Nigerians cope with the current economic realities.

“The Federal Government should pay a minimum wage of ₦120,000. Wage increases have linkages, effects, and consequences. Nigerian workers deserve living wages. We need to look at productivity in the private sector. Can the private sector that supports the government survive? We have a serious issue at hand,” he added.

Chinedu Obika, the lawmaker representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, emphasized that the minimum wage should not be less than ₦150,000 “based on the current reality.” He urged the Federal Government to consider the country’s inflation rate before setting a new minimum wage

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