The National Assembly has resolved to ensure that states, local governments, and the Organised Private Sector comply with the new minimum wage, which is expected to be passed after receiving the Wage Award Bill from President Bola Tinubu. The Assembly has threatened to seize allocations of states and local governments that fail to comply with the new minimum wage.
According to a source who spoke anonymously, the National Assembly may consider seizing allocations of states and local governments that fail to comply with the new minimum wage. This is because the Assembly wants to ensure that the new minimum wage is strictly adhered to as law.
The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, explained that lawmakers would expedite the passage of the Wage Award Bill once President Tinubu sends it. He also hinted that the President would send the bill after the National Assembly resumes from the Sallah recess on July 2.
The Federal Government and labour unions have been at odds over the new minimum wage, with union leaders demanding N250,000. Meanwhile, 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 repeatedly dismissed the government's offer, labelling it a "starvation wage." The Assistant General Secretary of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, stated that Organised Labour would not accept the latest offer of N62,000 or the N100,000 proposal suggested by some individuals and economists.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed concern over the labour leaders' demands and the potential economic repercussions.
He stated that the N250,000 minimum wage proposal could destabilise the economy, lead to mass layoffs and jeopardise the welfare of Nigerians.
