“We can only afford to pay N22,500 as minimum wage” – Governors
State governors in the country have made a very generous increase on the minimum wage by adding N4,500 to the current amount being paid to workers.
They have said, after a meeting on Tuesday, that they are ready to pay workers a minimum wage of N22,500.
This comes after the Nigeria Labour Congress rejected FG’s N24,000 proposal. The union insists it wants no lesser than N30,000 and threatened to shut down activities in the country November 6.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, said they hold the welfare of the masses dear to heart and have agreed on the increase.
“The welfare of all Nigerians is our ultimate concern. In all our States, we are concerned about the deteriorating economic situation experienced by the vulnerable segment of our population,” Yari said.
“In agreeing to a National Minimum Wage, however, the Forum is even more concerned about development, particularly in the health, education and infrastructure spheres.
“It is, therefore, our considered position that since the percentage of salaried workers is not more than five per cent of the total working population, our position must not just reflect a figure, but also a sustainable strategy based on ability and capacity to pay, as well as reflective of all our developmental needs in each State.”
He said the consideration by the governors was reflective of the current economic realities in the country.
“It is in this sense that we feel strongly that our acceptable minimum wage must be done in such a way that total personnel cost does not exceed 50 per cent of the revenue available to each State.
“Governors, therefore, agreed to pay a national minimum wage of N22,500,” Yari said.
