The National Assembly has resolved to ensure that states, local governments, and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) comply with the new minimum wage. To achieve this, the Assembly may consider seizing allocations of non-compliant states and local governments. A source revealed that the Assembly is planning to include a clause in the new minimum wage bill that will provide clear sanctions for defaulters.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that the Assembly will expedite the passage of the Wage Award Bill once President Bola Tinubu sends it. Adaramodu hinted that the President would send the bill after the National Assembly resumes from its Sallah recess on July 2. The President had promised to forward a bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly soon.
The Federal Government and labour unions have been at odds over the new minimum wage, with union leaders demanding N250,000. However, the Federal Government and the OPS countered with an offer of N62,000, while state governors maintained that they could not sustain a minimum wage higher than N60,000. Labour unions have rejected the government’s offer, labelling it a “starvation wage”.
Adaramodu assured that the new bill will be “watertight” and will include provisions for sanctions against non-compliance. He added that the bill will be passed quickly, as it benefits Nigerian workers. The House of Representatives is also eager to pass the bill, according to House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.
Labour leaders have called for the political will to enforce sanctions against states, local governments, and members of the OPS that fail to comply with the minimum wage laws. The National Treasurer of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Hakeem Ambali, noted that the National Assembly’s move was not new, as the former Minimum Wage Act also contained clauses for sanctions.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, reiterated the need for decentralised minimum wage negotiations, allowing states to conduct their own wage negotiations with labour unions separate from the Federal Government. The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said it was not the responsibility of the National Assembly to propose or introduce new clauses on sanctions, noting that the already existing National Minimum Wage Bill contained provisions for violations and enforcement.