State Governors Call For Autonomy In Minimum Wage Negotiations

State Governors Call For Autonomy In Minimum Wage Negotiations....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

LAGOS — Governors from Nigeria’s Southern region, under the Southern Governors’ Forum, have advocated for each state to set its own minimum wage based on its financial capacity………. CONTINUE READING

This recommendation aligns with the stance of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), which announced on Wednesday night its intention to continue engaging stakeholders to find a mutually agreeable resolution to the ongoing minimum wage crisis.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s unusual presence at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, neither he nor Vice President Kashim Shettima addressed the minimum wage issue. Meanwhile, labor organizations have raised concerns about the growing unrest among workers in both the public and private sectors due to delays in finalizing the new minimum wage, urging labor leaders to consider industrial action to expedite the process.

### Governors’ Position on Minimum Wage

The Southern Governors’ Forum issued a 16-point communique advocating for each state to negotiate its minimum wage with labor unions, reflecting the cost of living and promoting fiscal federalism and the devolution of powers.

The NGF, in a meeting held early yesterday, reinforced their commitment to achieving better wages through ongoing negotiations. The meeting included governors from Oyo, Zamfara, Anambra, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Imo, Kwara, Ondo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Sokoto, and Ogun States, along with deputy governors from Akwa Ibom, Osun, and Borno States.

### Recent Developments

President Tinubu previously established a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage, including representatives from organized labor, federal and state governments, and the Organized Private Sector (OPS). However, the committee has struggled to reach a consensus, prompting labor to initiate an indefinite strike on June 3, 2024, paralyzing key sectors.

Although the strike was suspended on June 4, following presidential assurances of a living wage above N60,000, subsequent negotiations failed to yield an agreement. Labor reduced its demand from N494,000 to N250,000, while the government’s offer increased to N62,000.

Public and private sector workers are increasingly impatient over the delays, pressuring labor leaders to resume strikes. Workers’ hardships, exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and the lack of promised palliatives, have intensified the unrest.

Labor leaders have expressed frustration over the prolonged process, urging patience and assurance of arrears payment once the new wage is implemented. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) criticized President Tinubu for the delays, highlighting unmet campaign promises of a living wage and calling for expedited consultations.

SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim emphasized the need for timely action to prevent further worker dissatisfaction and ensure the government’s commitments to improving worker welfare and economic stability.

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