States Declare Stand On New Minimum Wage

By Ayodele Oni

As negotiations on the new minimum wage continues between the federal government and organized labour, states have said they will only pay wages that are sustainable.

The position, coming when some states are yet to implement the N30,000 wage for workers, is seen as another ploy by states pay their workers different salary from the agreed one with federal government.

According to the 36 state governors, who met virtually, they are reviewing their individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, geared towards arriving at an improved minimum wage that they can pay sustainably.

Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is chairman Nigeria Governors Forum, (NGF) in a statement stated that “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on various issues of national importance.

“The Forum celebrates with workers across the country their dedication to service and patience as we work with the Federal Government, labour, organized private sector, and relevant stakeholders to arrive at an implementable national minimum wage.

“While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted recently by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, it is imperative to state that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the National Minimum Wage is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.

“As members of the committee, we are reviewing our individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations to arrive at an improved minimum wage we can pay sustainably.

“We remain committed to the process and promise that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations.”