Members of the House of Representatives has warned of an impending nationwide strike by workers if the Federal Government does not consider increasing the minimum wage to N30,000.
The current minimum wage of N18,000 came into effect in 2011.
However, seven years after, the lawmakers said in Abuja that no Nigerian worker could survive on a monthly wage of N18,000.
The members, at a session presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, passed a resolution urging the government to implement its wage review plans immediately amid the threats of a nationwide strike by labour unions.
The motion was moved by a former oil and gas union leader, Mr. Peter Akpatason, a member of the All Progressives Congress from Edo State.
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Akpatason had informed the House about how the government appeared unwilling to push the wage review plans.
He said that an agreement by the government and labour unions to begin the process was not being implemented.
Lawmakers specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Minister of Labour and Employment (Dr. Chris Ngige) to commence forthwith the process of negotiating an upward review of the current minimum wage rates.”
Debating the issue, lawmakers agreed that N18,000 was no longer realistic, suggesting at least N30,000 as the new minimum pay cheque.
One of the members, Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, argued that a government that was committed to fighting corruption and crime should consider paying workers realistic wages a priority.
Omidiran, a member of the APC representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State, noted that the motion was a wake-up call to the government to avert a strike.
She added, “This N18,000 of today cannot take any worker home, if we really want to fight corruption and crime.
“This motion will reinforce the work of the wage review committee on the need to come up with a minimum wage that workers will appreciate.
“Our own House Committee on Labour and Productivity should also pursue this matter with all the attention that it will require.”
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Two Abia State PDP lawmakers, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha and Ms. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, also supported the motion, saying a wage review for workers was overdue.
The motion was passed in a voice vote without any dissenting voice.
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