The Nigerian Government said it is considering an upward review of the N30,000 minimum wage to reflect the economic realities of inflation that has become a global phenomenon. This was disclosed by the Minister of Labor and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige during the Nigeria Labor Congress, NLC, a public presentation titled, ''Contemporary history of working-class struggle'' delivered yesterday in Abuja.
During his remark, the Minister said, the increment had become necessary to increase the purchasing power of the common man.
The minister said, “The inflation is worldwide, we shall adjust the minimum wage in conformity with what is happening now. The 2019 Minimum Wage Act has a new clause for review. The adjustment has started with the Academic Staff Union of University because of the stage they are with their primary employers, the Ministry of Education is collective bargaining agreement negotiations''.
He added that “Under the principles of offer and acceptance, which is that of collective bargaining, ASUU can look at the offer they gave us and make a counter offer, but they have not done that. If they do that, we are bound to look at their offer. These are the ingredients of collective negotiations.”
However, He makes recommendations to the executives of associate Unions of the labor Congress to get conversant with labor laws.
He added that plans are being put in place to convert the Michael Imoudu Institute of Labor Studies, Ilorin, Kwara State, into a degree-awarding institute.
The Minister went ahead saying the current Minimum wage of N30,000 cannot be enough to pay workers' transportation fares to work for a month in this era of inflation.
Moreover, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, said the main objective of the labor movement in Nigeria is to protect the interest of workers.
