The proposed national minimum wage for workers in the country is N485,000, as recommended by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the Northwest zone.
According to the DAILY POST, the idea was included in a position paper that was given on Thursday during a public hearing in the North West.
The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage held a hearing at Government House, Kano’s Coronation Hall.
On behalf of the North West leadership, the congress chairman in Kano, Kabir Inuwa, gave the presentation. He stated that the N485,000 plan was essential given the state of the national economy.
He declared, “It is essential to suggest a new minimum wage that accounts for the cost of living and guarantees workers a respectable standard of living.”
The suggested monthly minimum salary should be decided by doing a thorough analysis of the state of the economy, rates of inflation, and the necessities for employees and their families.
“The Congress believes that for a minimum wage to be effective, it must take into account the realities of the current economic climate and determine the lowest income necessary for a family of six to survive.”
According to Inuwa, it was the expected monthly spending per household, and the minimum wage laws provided all the necessary protections to guarantee compliance.
“This may be initiated by an individual or trade unions. The lack of awareness of the current legislation implies pervasive disobedience of the law, most especially by some state and local governments.
“If the labour unions can initiate a mechanism to explore the provision of the law, it would record minimum defaults,” he said.
Therefore, he emphasized the necessity of federal engagement to enforce compliance by denying any funding to any state or public institutions that violate the minimum wage legislation.
“The removal of the Forex policy and fuel subsidy coincided with the maturation of Nigeria’s minimum wage for review.”
“Workers are rendered vulnerable by the attendant effect of the current economic hardship propelled by hyperinflation,” he stated.