Comrade Promise Adewusi, Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Chairman, NLC National Minimum Wage Committee:The passage of the new minimum wage of N18, 000 is a mark that the Nigerian Senate is desirous to improve on their connection with the Nigerian people. The passage is not only pragmatic but altruistic.We are beginning to see a parliament that is able to rise above class and interest to link with the welfare of the Nigerian people, because an improved minimum wage is not just a benefit to the Nigerian workers but it is indeed a benefit to the Nigerian people and by necessary extension, to the national economy.We urge the House of Representatives to urgently concur with the Senate so that our amiable president can quickly sign it into law to give Nigerians a new lease of life and better sense of belonging. This will be in consonance with the ILO decent work agenda. This is not yet a living wage for the Nigerian workers, but one that was accepted in the spirit of tripartism compromise. It will be inconceivable for any state government to refuse to pay the new wage when it becomes law. The governors are creations of law, and if they come against the law that will only mean that such governors are illegal!In the same vein, we implore the National Assembly to hasten action in passing all labour-related bills, particularly those that arose as a result of collective bargaining like the retirement age of varsity workers, before 2011 general election. This will help improve faith in the legislature and engender industrial peace in work environments.Comrade Iduh Onah, Head of Information Department, NLC : It is a commendable effort which will move us forward as a country. We urge the House of Representatives to do same and give accelerated hearing and quick passage so that workers will start to enjoy it from March. No state has said it will not pay. Let it be passed and become law, then we will take it up from there. If any state says it will not pay, that is when we will have industrial dispute, and we will have to take those states on. It is the minimum standard which should be paid by all states.Comrade Peter Esele, President-General, Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria: The passage by the Senate is a welcome development, and we call on the House of Representatives to follow suit on time for the President to assent to it, so the implementation can commence immediately across the federation. We insist that all states must implement it because there is no state that cannot afford to implement it in the country. So, I call on the House of Representatives not to further delay the passage of the bill, as Nigerian workers are eagerly awaiting the implementation of the new wage structure before the end of this administration.Comrade John Kolawole, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress (TUC): We are not comfortable with the delay by the House of Representatives to pass the bill.We expect they do it as quickly as possible so that the President can sign before it is too late. It is high time to place priority on this issue that concerns the people of Nigeria: the ordinary Nigerian workers. It is not a good signal that is why you find agitations in some countries today.Beside what they are passing, they should know is not sufficient. We should have finished it a long time ago, and would have added to it. We need to go beyond this, and consider all other areas of life that lead to development, such as provision of water, good education, energy and electricity and others. It is not just salary that is important, but all other things that will bring about good living and good standard of living for all.As for the delay, it is disappointing; they just want to force labour to take alternative steps to ensure the passage and implementation.
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