The federal government on Tuesday has revealed its effect to proceed on the process of reviewing the current minimum wage of N30,000.
According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who addressed workers at the 13th quadrennial delegates conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held in Abuja, maintained that the present government would fast track the process to see that a new minimum wage was ready latest by May next year.
Even though the Nigerian government last year dismissed reports that it was set to review salaries of civil servants, in which the Labour Minister clarifying that the government attempted to reviewing only some peculiar allowances, not salaries.
Ngige on Tuesday onbehalf of FG accuses trade unions of violating the terms of the Trade Union Act which mandated that all newly elected Trade Union Officials take the required courses at the Michael Imuodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) for necessary knowledge and develop into seasoned Industrial Relations authorities and sent a warning to labour unions to back off from meddling in the affairs of government which attempts to impose their will on it about appointment decisions.
In his statement he said: “The good stories that filter out from the Trade Union Act are that we put out an Act, a legislation, that had in place an inbuilt review five years mechanism, unlike the former Act. So mandatorily, Nigeria will produce a new minimum wage on or before May, 2024.
“It is acknowledged both nationally and internationally that government would not interfere in trade union matters and likewise, Trade Unions are not to interfere in Labour Administration unless as provided by the laws and principles of tripartism.
“Trade Unions are not mandated to dictate to the Government on appointment of Public Officials such as Permanent Secretaries, Director Generals, Director, etc. as such appointments are within the purview of Government functionalities. How will a trade union fare if the Government starts dictating on who and how they elect their executives.
“Non-Reportage has been a bane on sincerely conducted social dialogue and negotiations as the majority of the workers’ population are left with no information, under-information and most often misinformation.
“At this point, I enjoin the Confederation of Trade Unions’ leaderships to always be bold to inform the affiliates of the true state of Labour Laws even when it is not in their favour. It will help in avoiding mistakes and mis-steps