The Federal Government says the report of the Tripartite Committee on the new minimum wage reflects a balanced and realistic approach to addressing the myriad challenges faced by the country’s workforce.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a one-day retreat on ‘Labour reforms and the quest for living wage in Nigeria: A Focus on Legislative intervention’, organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, for Chairmen and Members of joint Senate and House Committees on Employment, Labour and Productivity.
She said submissions were a blueprint for actionable reforms that would drive sustainable improvements in labour conditions across the country.
Onyejeocha restated the current administration’s resolve towards transforming the labour landscape in Nigeria, ensuring that every worker is respected, protected, and fairly compensated.
She tasked the lawmakers to pass bills that reflect the yearnings of the country’s labour force across all sectors, foster productivity and growth amongst the workforce and also commensurably punish offenders and violators of labour laws.
According to her, “The Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is unwavering in its dedication to ensuring that all workers are treated with dignity, work in safe environments, and earn a living wage. Our vision is clear: to create a labour market that is fair, equitable, and capable of sustaining the aspirations of every Nigerian worker.
“Central to our efforts is the work of the Tripartite Committee comprising Government, Organized Private Sector and Organized Labour, which has diligently engaged with stakeholders on the critical issue of a New National Minimum Wage.
“The Committee’s comprehensive submissions to Mr. President reflect a balanced and realistic approach to addressing the myriad challenges faced by our workforce. These submissions are not just recommendations, they are a blueprint for actionable reforms that will drive sustainable improvements in labour conditions across the country.
“One of the key initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is the Labour and Employment Empowerment Program (LEEP). LEEP embodies our holistic approach to labour reform, with a specific pillar dedicated to labour reforms and labour compliance
Onyejeocha, while acknowledging the role of legislative intervention, underscored the need for the standing committees saddled with the responsibility of legislative oversight and indeed the Parliament, to enact laws that protect and empower workers.