Minimum Wage remains in Exclusive list – FG

The Federal Government yesterday assured the members of the Organised Labour that the national Minimum Wage cannot be removed from the exclusive Legislative list.
This is even as it affirmed that all states are bound to pay the new Minimum Wage as it is a matter of law. 
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who represented President Muhammad Buhari at the 2021 May Day Celebration organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to mark this year’s Workers Day said it would be an attempt in futility.
Ngige while responding to the complaints by the Organised Labour about the attempts by Nigeria’s ruling class to “kill the National Minimum Wage by removing it as an item from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List”, said any attempt to bring it into Concurrent list will not work as it will go against international convention which Nigeria is a signatory.
He said, “Minimum Wage is still retained in the country’s Exclusive Legislative List of the federation. It is not going to be taken to the Concurrent List. Ministry of Labour will stay with you and ensure that it is not removed from the Exclusive List.”
The Minister said the Minimum Wage was signed by President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019 and he made it clear that it takes effect on that day.
“It’s not a National law bound by Federal Government, State governments are bound by law to pay the national minimum wage. So it’s not a question of pick and choose. 
“It was moved from N18,000 per month to N30,000 per month and it is irreducible. Therefore we expect states and people in the private sector to comply. Also all pensioners will get their pay from May and also their arrears starting from April 2019,” the Minister stated.
Ngige expressed the Federal Government’s committment to creating decent jobs in workplaces. 
He stressed that despite the present economic downturn as a result of the pandemic, “we Nigerians are committed to inclusive and sustainable development anchored by the decent work agenda to initiate and maintain economic growth.”
However, the Organised Labour has demanded general salary review and return of gratuity to Nigerian workers most especially workers in the civil service. 
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)  in their joint May Day address said, “We demand for an upward review of salary of core Civil Servants to narrow the gap between their emoluments and those of employees in other segments of the public service.”
The address jointly read by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Quadri Olaleye implored the federal government to once more direct the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to set up a Committee to undertake this review that is certainly overdue.
The Labour leaders also called for the restoration of the payment of the gratuity to Nigerian workers noting that though, the 2004 Pension Reform Act was silent on the issue of payment of gratuity to workers, the Federal and some state governments have ceased paying gratuity to public service employees. 
“Yet, it is gratifying that private sector employers and many state governments have continued to pay gratuity to their employees”, the labour leader stated.
Organised labour said it is demanding that payment of gratuity to retiring officers should be restored in the public service to compensate for years of service by workers.  
In the same vein, the labour leaders emphasised the need for upward review of retirement age
“While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for the recent increase of the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years, we also call on government for an upward review of the retirement age and years of service in the entire Public Service. 
“Certainly, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander,” the labour leaders added.
Meanwhile, the May Day, though was celebrated in a low key with all the COVID-19 protocols duly observed, the workers still held the March past with funfair to celebrate the return of workers to normal life after the pandemic which made the celebration impossible last year.