Kwara To Pay New Minimum Wage, Sets Up Committee On Adjustment

By Ayodele Oni

As preparatory to implementation of the new minimum wage, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the constitution of a tripartite committee to work out the consequential adjustment component for other categories of workers.

In a statement, governor AbdulRazq spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye said the pegging of a new national minimum wage to N70,000, necessitated consequential adjustments for senior cadres of workers in the state.

The statement said the committee comprises of representatives from the state government, the labour centres, and the organized private sector.

The statement explained that the tripartite committee is chaired by the Head of Service and co-chaired by the Commissioner for Finance, while the Director (Establishment and Pension) would serve as the Secretary .

It noted that apart from the Federal Controller on Labour and Employment, the Labour is represented on the committee by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Chairman of COHESU, and Secretary of the JNC.

The statement revealed that private sector is represented by the Kwara Chamber of Commerce (KWACCIMA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN) and the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.

President Bola Tinubu had last week signed the new minimum wage of N70,000 into law, after passage of the bill by the national assembly.

Some states have cried out of their inability to pay the new wage citing low revenue for government.