The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has reinterated the commitment of House to pass a new minimum wage bill.
In a message to mark the 2017 Workers’ Day, Dogara explained that increasing workers’ salary and wages has become necessary in view of the current inflation, naira devaluation and rising cost of living.
He said: “I wish to congratulate the entire Nigerian workers as they join their counterparts the world over in commemorating the International Workers’ Day. While commending you for your sacrifice and commitment to the service and building of the nation, I wish to assure you that the National Assembly and in particular, the 8th House of Represntatives remains committed to the passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill when presentes by the Executive and initiating other laws and legislative interventions that will promote the welfare and well being of Nigerian Workers”.
He advised workers, especially civil servants to rededicate themselves to duty and support government’s laudable policies and programmes.
He added: “As you mark this historic day, I wish to remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made by the working class in nation building and commit yourselves to doing even more in supporting government’s activities that will better the lots of our citizens”
Meanwhile, the President, United Labour Congress (ULC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, said on Sunday that moves to remove minimum wage from the exclusive to concurrent legislative list would be resisted.
Speaking at the pre-2017 May Day seminar organised by ULC in Lagos, Ajaero described the move as ill-motivated, adding that it would deny workers their right to live well “which is what some of the governors have been advocating but we will mobilise against them”.
