The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has faulted the governor’s constituting the committee that has been set up to review the payment of the minimum wage, News About Nigeria reports.
Ajaero expressed his dissatisfaction with the committee while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
He criticised the selection process of state governors drafted as members of the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage, stating that most governors on the panel do not pay the current minimum wage.
He also lamented the fact that the governors who are in full compliance with the minimum wage are not adequately represented.
According to him, the Federal Government has an ulterior motive for bringing in those who are not compliant or who are compliant in breaches to form the bulk of the membership of the minimum wage committee, adding that the motive behind it will soon unfold.
He noted that states like Zamfara have failed to implement the minimum wage, adding that Borno and Bauchi states are compliant in breaches.
Ajaero also maintained that there is a minimum wage law that criminalises non-compliance with the minimum wage, and noted that Nigeria has made no efforts to enforce these laws while others are enforcing them in breaches.
Recall that Vice President Kashim Shettima had earlier inaugurated the committee at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa Abuja, saying the decision was aimed at ensuring a decent living wage and in compliance with the existing National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which will expire in a few months.
