According to Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, minimum wage is defined as the lowest remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Many have their opinions about the minimum wage, supports say it reduces poverty, increases the standard of living of workers, reduces inequality, boost morale and forces businesses to be more efficient. In contrast, opponents of the minimum wage say it increases poverty, increases unemployment (particularly among unskilled or inexperienced workers).
The current minimum wage of N18,000 which is calculated on monthly basis was calculated based on cost of living calculated by trade unions, based on inflation and statistical data from the national bureau of statistics and others related agencies.
There is only one minimum wage act that covers both the public and private sectors. It also covers workers at federal, state and local government levels.
Pertaining to the current decision of some of the Nigeria governors to reduce the minimum wage, the governors who said they can no longer pay the monthly minimum wage to workers blamed the steep fall in the price of crude oil from $126 to the current $41 per barrel.
The opponents of the minimum wage reduction like the Akwa Ibom NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) president Akpan-Nsoh says "Nobody should tamper with the 18,000 minimum wage. It is a law that has come to stay.
In my opinion, I think just like NLC president of Akwa Ibom said nobody should have to tamper with the 18,000 minimum wage.
In an interview with NLC President Ayuba Wabba he said: "We reject it totally. Nigerian workers will never
accept it. We all know that it is a reality that N18,000 can no longer take the workers home and cannot sustain any family. Many countries are reviewing their minimum wage upwards to meet the current realities.
accept it. We all know that it is a reality that N18,000 can no longer take the workers home and cannot sustain any family. Many countries are reviewing their minimum wage upwards to meet the current realities.
In Nigeria, there is even greater need to increase the minimum wage because our currency had been devalued; inflation keeps rising among others. “What is the exchange rate of the Nigerian currency to the US Dollar or what is value of the N18,000 to the US Dollar? We must reject the move with all our might because we are not the cause of the problem. The government should think out of the box to find solution to the problem. When there was excess crude money, the workers did not benefit and so, we cannot bear the brunt. If the governors want us to close down the country, then the workers have no option than to do that. “What about their outrageous salaries, bloated overhead cost, inflated contracts and others? This issue is going to feature prominently and we need to come with a strong statement on it. Obviously we cannot bear the brunt. The governors should think how to generate revenue instead of depending on oil money and allocation from Abuja. The governors should know that the ₦18,000 minimum wage was not just negotiated, it was a product of a tripartite process involving the
governors, employers and organised labour. It passed through the National Assembly before former President Jonathan signed it into law. If any party wants to breach or renege on such agreement, they should be prepared for the consequences. We know there are challenges, but the governors should face reality. The problem is the cost of governance and too many frivolities. Today, with crazy bills from electricity providers, increase in fuel price, school fees, hospital bills, and other utilities, ₦18,000 cannot take any worker to the bus stop.
governors, employers and organised labour. It passed through the National Assembly before former President Jonathan signed it into law. If any party wants to breach or renege on such agreement, they should be prepared for the consequences. We know there are challenges, but the governors should face reality. The problem is the cost of governance and too many frivolities. Today, with crazy bills from electricity providers, increase in fuel price, school fees, hospital bills, and other utilities, ₦18,000 cannot take any worker to the bus stop.
Why should Nigerians have to suffer all these?! I am sure that those governors in support of reduction in minimum wage give their children more than that monthly for shopping. Workers are not monkeys. They shouldn't be paid peanuts. If there should be any reduction, it should be the salaries of those at the top not those earning ₦18,000.
Being a Governor is never by force. They asked for the job. If they knew they could not pay minimum wage why then did they contest?. I know for a fact that even plants, flowers at Government House cost more than ₦18,000 to maintain in a month, how much more a human? Governors keep going abroad without bringing in any initiative for sustainable jobs and then wake up and decide to reduce minimum wage, Why are they not contemplating the reduction of their own wages and allowances?. A man earning ₦18,000 struggles to pay rent, feed family & pay school fees, to reduce his pay is to punish his family.
In conclusion, the government should not depend only on the nation's oil. How can a country like Nigeria
that is so blessed with the natural resources, with best brains in this world depend only on oil? I know it is funny to say that Nigeria is going bankrupt but it is what it is, our government have incurred huge debts and are still struggling to pay back, but really where and what has the borrowed money gone to. Lagos state owes about 400BN debt although obviously it was used for infrastructure and many others things while some where pocketed but should the poor masses have suffer the deeds of their supposed leaders by the reduction of their minimum wage?.
that is so blessed with the natural resources, with best brains in this world depend only on oil? I know it is funny to say that Nigeria is going bankrupt but it is what it is, our government have incurred huge debts and are still struggling to pay back, but really where and what has the borrowed money gone to. Lagos state owes about 400BN debt although obviously it was used for infrastructure and many others things while some where pocketed but should the poor masses have suffer the deeds of their supposed leaders by the reduction of their minimum wage?.
By Ifeoma Precious Imoh
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