States yesterday kicked against Labour’s minimum wage demands, saying they were not realistic.
The NLC and TUC chapters in the six Northeast states recommended a minimum of N560,000 per month.
In the Southeast, they proposed N540,000 per month.
Labour in the Southwest suggested N794,000 as the minimum wage.
The Southsouth NLC zonal chapters proposed at least N850,000 per month.
In the Northwest, Labour proposed N485,000 per month.
The proposals were presented when six cities across the six geo-political zones hosted discussions on the new minimum wage.
The current minimum wage is N30,000, which went into effect in April 2019.
The Federal Government in January constituted a 37-member Tripartite Committee to negotiate and agree on the new minimum wage due to take effect this year.
The tripartite panel’s sitting is currently ongoing in Abuja.
The Federal Government fixed yesterday’s public hearings to get the input of the generality of the people, Labour and pressure groups, and religious and business leaders.
Yesterday’s discussions were held in Yola, Northeast; Kano, Northwest; Abuja, Northcentral; Uyo, Southsouth; Enugu, Southeast, and Lagos, Southwest.
Minister of Finance/the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who chaired the Lagos event, restated the Federal Government’s commitment to a new minimum wage.
Speaking at the Southwest zonal public hearing held at the LTV Blue Roof Arena in Ikeja, Edun promised workers “a living wage that is fair and sustainable”.
He said: “We are committed to ushering in a new minimum wage that would improve the living conditions of workers.”
The minister spoke against the backdrop of the N794,000 monthly wage demanded by the Southwest NLC.
On whether prices of goods and services could erode any salary increase, the minister stressed the need to also increase productivity.
Edun said: “We have all agreed that if there is an increase in the minimum wage, there should be an increase in productivity.
“This entails investment in machinery and facilities that will make the workers even more productive because that is how to get a monetary increase without causing inflation.
“When workers become more productive, companies become more profitable and then we will be able to afford the increase in the national minimum wage without causing inflation.”
Edun urged other arms of government to adjust the stipends of pensioners in the wake of the minimum wage review.
He added: “There is a natural structure and so it’s up to each level of government not just to look after its workers, but after its pensioners.
“So, if there is an increase in wages, it should also apply to pensioners.
“During my time as the Commissioner for Finance in Lagos, there was a regular increase in the payment of pensioners; they were not left at one level.
“When salaries increase, pensions should also increase, and that is what we expect at various levels.
“But it equally depends on the availability of resources and affordability to make those payments. So, we don’t expect that it will be one size fits all.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Head of Service (HoS), Bode Agoro, said Lagos looked forward to a fair and realistic wage structure.
He said: “In Lagos, we have always prioritized the welfare of our workers, recognising that a well-compensated and motivated workforce is essential for sustainable development.
“One notable accomplishment has been the regular review of the minimum wage.
“I am proud to announce that Lagos has implemented a minimum wage of N41,500, surpassing the standards set by many other states in the region.”
NLC and TUC proposed N709,000 and N447,000 as the new minimum wage respectively.
The two labour centres made their presentations at the Northcentral Zonal public hearing.
The figures, they said, were “largely influenced by the present realities.”
The Plateau State government, represented by its Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Labour Relations, proposed N60,000, N70,000 and N80,000 instead.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Head of Service of the State, Abigail Waya, urged the Tripartite Committee to allow his state to renegotiate minimum wage.
He said economic realities may not allow the state to pay a wage beyond its financial capability.
Niger State government said it was willing to pay any amount fixed by the committee.
Pensioners, represented by the Federal Civil Service Pensioners Union Chairman, Comrade Sunday Omezi, asked for 85 per cent of whatever figure the Tripartite Committee agreed.
The Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed proposed a N45,000 minimum wage.
Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, who represented Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, also proposed the same wage.
The hearing was chaired by NLC President Joe Ajaero.
Representatives of the Gombe and Taraba governments suggested a N60,000 minimum wage.
