House of Representatives call for review of minimum wage

by YWriter

The House of Representatives have called for an immediate review of the national minimum wage to reflect the current realities faced by the Nigerian workers in the country.

This followed a motion on urgent National importance moved by Hon Ezenwa Onyewuchi from Imo State titled “The need to appreciate the efforts and resilience of Nigerian workers in commemoration of the May Day Celebration.

Onyewuchi in his debate said the economic recession in the country has affected the workers adversely. He noted that there has been a “massive depreciation of workers’ purchasing power, job losses, unpaid salaries and benefits.”

Consequently, he said the process of reviewing the minimum wage should commence immediately, as a way of ameliorating the economic hardship the workers in the country are going through.

Hon Sunday Karimu representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro federal constituency of Kogi in his debate said workers in the country are not happy, as many of them, especially those in the state, are owed salaries for many months. He lamented that it is unfortunate that after receiving the bailout fund and Paris Club refund from the federal government, some state governors are still unable to pay workers salaries.

He stated that “Workers are not happy. Many workers are owed salaries. In some states especially, Kogi State, workers are been owed 15 months’ salary.

The speaker, while commending the organized labour for doing their best towards developing the country said the National Assembly would continue to provide the necessary laws that would improve the welfare of the Nigerian workers.