Nigerian minimum wage news

Here are some recent news updates on the Nigerian minimum wage:

Latest Development:

• On April 18, 2022, the Nigerian Senate passed the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to increase the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000 per month. The bill is now awaiting presidential assent.
• On April 20, 2022, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) gave the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the new minimum wage or face a nationwide strike.

Background:

• In 2019, the Nigerian government increased the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000 per month.
• In 2020, the NLC and TUC demanded a review of the minimum wage, citing the high cost of living in the country and the need to ensure a decent standard of living for workers.
• In 2021, the Federal Government set up a committee to review the minimum wage, which recommended an increase to N40,000 per month.

Key Quotes:

• "We are giving the government 14 days to implement the new minimum wage or face a nationwide strike. We cannot continue to live on N30,000 per month in this country." - Ayuba Wabba, NLC President
• "We are committed to implementing the new minimum wage as soon as possible. We will not allow the country to go on strike unnecessarily." - Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

Reactions:

• The Nigerian Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed concerns about the proposed increase in the minimum wage, citing the potential impact on businesses and the economy.
• The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for a review of the minimum wage for university lecturers, who are currently paid a minimum wage of N30,000 per month.

Next Steps:

• The Federal Government is expected to respond to the NLC and TUC's ultimatum and implement the new minimum wage or negotiate a new agreement with the unions.
• The implementation of the new minimum wage is expected to have a significant impact on the economy and the lives of millions of workers in Nigeria.