NGF: Now That National Assembly Passes The Minimum Wage Bill Into Law
By Lawal Akanbi Sharafadeen
The essence of passing the minimum wage bill into law cannot be overstated. It is a critical step in ensuring that workers receive fair compensation for their labour, aligning with the principles of social justice and economic stability. The minimum wage is not just a figure; it represents the minimum standard of living that a least worker should be able to afford. It is a safeguard against exploitation and a necessary measure to ensure that workers can meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. In essence, a fair minimum wage is fundamental to the dignity and well-being of Nigerian workers.
However, I must express my dissatisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not deciding on the minimum wage on time. It has been over a year since he announced the removal of the fuel subsidy, a decision that caught almost all Nigerians unprepared and caused significant hardship.The resulting increase in the cost of goods and services, especially transportation, has been burdensome. It is disheartening to see that after all this time, the proposed minimum wage is a meager N70,000. Given the current economic reality, this amount is insufficient to sustain a family for a month, let alone cover other basic amenities.
What will N70,000 do in this present Nigeria, Mr. President? Nigerian workers have endured a lot to earn such meager wages, and it defies all sense of human decency on the part of the Tinubu-led Federal Government. The struggles and sacrifices of the workforce deserve better recognition and compensation. While I appreciate the effort and commitment shown by the Federal Government in bringing this issue to light and its swift passage at the National Assembly, this move should have come much earlier and better.
My significant concern now shifts to the state governors, particularly the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum, who is also the Governor of my own state, Kwara. This man lacks visible commitment in the whole process, and the fact that he has failed to address Kwarans directly on this issue is troubling. A serious governor should have by now already constituted an ad-hoc committee to ensure the swift payment of this minimum wage by the end of next month, along with the necessary consequential adjustments.
The economic hardship in Kwara State is palpable. The inflation of food prices, skyrocketing cost of living have left many residents struggling to make ends meet. The implementation of the minimum wage is a critical step in this direction, but it must be accompanied by broader economic reforms and better management of state resources. We have seen how the present government has failed to demonstrate financial prudence in managing the state's monthly allocations for many months. Instead of prioritizing the welfare of the people, he focuses on government house expenses.
We have not witnessed any state innovative programs aimed at improving the lives of the masses. He should stop parading all the federal government initiatives and road projects as his own brainchild and give us something sustainable and alleviating. Governor Abdulrazaq’s track record is really concerning that I begin to wonder what positive legacy will he leave behind after serving two terms as the Executive Governor of Kwara State. History shows that it took him over two years to commence the payment of the minimum wage increment in 2019 and it was for only level 1-6 employees, and almost three years for the consequential adjustments. This unprecedented delay must not be repeated.
The governor now has a responsibility to set a good example for other governors and ensure that Kwara State meets the new minimum wage standards without delay. The people of Kwara deserve timely and fair compensation for their labour. It is essential for Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to act swiftly and responsibly. The governor must rise to the occasion, ensure the timely payment of the new minimum wage, and implement policies that will alleviate the economic hardships faced by the residents of Kwara State. Anything less would be a disservice to the people he was elected to serve.
Lawal Akanbi Sharafadeen
Writes from Kwara State Capital.
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