NLC says no Panels yet on Minimum Wage Review (Read Why)

The Nigerian Labour Congress has denied reports that it has set up a new committee to deliberate on the proposed new minimum wage in the country.

President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba in a signed statement said,  the report was misleading and that it has not set up any committee on the minimum wage.

He said the government had agreed to set-up two committees – palliatives committee and the national minimum wage committee – to negotiate with government but it was yet to be inaugurated.

He said, “Broadly speaking, they are to make recommendations to the government on how to cushion the harsh effects brought on the people by the sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products as well as address other issues connected with the workings of the institutions in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, especially the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority.”

“Similarly, the committees are to make recommendations on other challenges militating against the regular supply of petroleum products. The acceptance of government to set up these committees was part of the process of addressing the concerns of labour.”

Wabba  further noted that “Organised Labour had taken the position that in order to deepen its presentation, it would consult widely with its affiliate unions. Although the framework or the outline of the work of the committee and its membership were discussed, the committee was not constituted.”

“Even before the fallout from the increase in the pump price of petroleum products, the Nigeria Labour Congress with the Trade Union Congress had formally submitted a proposal to the government for a new minimum wage.”

“Without the slightest intention to pre-empt the direction of discussion, a realistic minimum wage at the moment will have to take on board the recent complications created by the N145 pump price of petrol and the floatation of the naira as an economic policy and their aftermath.”