Labour Issues Deadline To State Governments On ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Payment

Organized labour has given state governments a deadline of October to commence the payment of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage to workers in their respective states.

This was confirmed by a labour leader who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity.

According to the source, the federal government has promised to meet with the various state Governors on the implementation of the new minimum wage, and therefore, organized labour has resolved to give them till the end of October before taking the next line of action.

The labour leader also argued that according to the new minimum wage act passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the new minimum wage commenced on April 18 and therefore arrears are expected to be implemented accordingly.

He said that governments and private employers that fail to do what is needed after the deadline will be dealt with according to the law.

“We are waiting for the federal government to meet the state governors on the matter since the federal government has agreed to meet with the governors over it.

“We resolved to wait till the end of October before deciding what next steps to take. If at the end of October, the situation remains as it is today, then we shall take appropriate action.

“The N70,000 minimum wage is a law duly legislated by the National Assembly and signed into law by the President of the country. There are consequences for those who decide to breach the law. We shall also handle such people whether public or private in our own ways within the ambit of the law.

“One other issue we are discussing with the federal government is the commencement date. The amendment done by the National Assembly and signed into law by the President did not affect or change the principal act, which stipulates that minimum wage commenced on April 18. The government is aware of that. So, when the discussion is concluded, arrears will be paid across the board nationwide and in all sectors,” the labour leader said.