The Federal Government yesterday declared that state governors have no right to reduce the national minimum wage from the present N18, 000 because it was a product of agreement.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who disclosed this at a meeting with the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, warned against any attempt by the governors to reduce the minimum wage, even as he observed that they were only playing politics with the issue.
The Minister assured that the government, rather than contemplate reducing the minimum wage, would want workers to be paid higher when the economy improves.
He however blamed NLC for allegedly heating up the polity by joining issues with the governors over their planned reduction of the wage.
According to him, “When the NLC joined the governors in talking about minimum wage, with the governors saying we can’t pay N18,000 minimum wage and NLC says it is time for us to ask for increase, we now know that these are talks that are heating up the system.
“The NLC knows better that the governors are playing politics. This is one matter that you cannot play politics with because it is a matter of rule of law. The law in place now is the Minimum Wage Act enacted by the National Assembly and the National Assembly derived their power from the Exclusive List of the constitution which gives them power to make laws on labour related matters including minimum wage.
“So, anybody who wants to talk about minimum wage should go to the National Assembly or ask the President to send an executive bill which can be discussed and it will be a tripatite discussion, involving public hearing.
“Please let a sleeping dog lie, because this country is going through a very difficult time now and requires your prayers and support. Nobody can reduce wages now. If anything, if you have more money, you pay higher,” he said.
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