Reps call for review of minimum wage

From: Ndubuisi Orji and Kemi Yesufu, Abuja

House of Representatives, on Tuesday, called for an immediate review of the national minimum wage to reflect current economic realities in the country.

The House, while appreciating Nigerian workers for their resilience and commitment to their duties in the face of severe economic challenges, mandated its committee on Labour,  Employment and Productivity to interface with relevant stakeholders on how to ameliorate their plight.

The committee is expected to report back to the House within  four weeks  for further legislative action.

This is sequel to motion on matter of urgent national importance moved by Hon Ezenwa Onyewuchi from Imo State at yesterday’s plenary on the ” need to appreciate the efforts and resilience of Nigerian workers in commemoration of the May Day Celebration.

Leading debate on the motion,  Onyewuchi said the economic recession in the country has affected the workers adversely.

The lawmaker noted that there have been a ” massive depreciation of workers’ purchasing power, job losses,  unpaid salaries and benefits. ”

Consequently, he said the the process of reviewing the minimum wage should commence immediately, as a way of ameliorating the economic hardship the workers in the country are going through.

Contributing to the debate, Hon Sunday Karimu, who represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro federal constituency of Kogi State, said workers in the country are not happy, as many of them, especially those in the state, are owed salaries for many months.

He said it is unfortunate that after receiving the bailout fund and the Paris Club refund from the federal government, some state governors are still unable to pay workers salaries.

According to him :”Workers are not happy.  Many workers are owed salaries. In some states especially, Kogi State, workers are been owed 15 mother salary.

“Workers are be denied their salaries.  Pensioners are not paid. Something has to be done in some of these states where government has refused to pay workers.”

On his part, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, member representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha federal constituency of Edo State, argued that some of those in government instead of serving the people are making life difficult for the populace.

He said “some governors believe that Paris Club Refund is meant for their families, that is why they have not paid the workers.  Rather than serving the people,  they expect the people to work without been paid.”

Before the putting the motion to vote, the Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara, commended Nigerian workers for their resilience and contribution to nation building.

He said the House is committed to improving the lots of workers in the country, noting that already concluding work on the Consumer Protection Bill and the Corporate Manslaughter Bill.

“We are committed to ensuring that the minimum wage is only increased, but that living wage should be paid to the workers,” Dogara stated.

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