Committee on minimum wage not yet constituted – NLC

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday said the proposed committee on the new national minimum wage was yet to be constituted by the Federal Government, dismissing reports that the committee has started working.

President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said in a statement in Abuja that while the government agreed to constitute two committees to address issues raised by organised labour following the fuel price hike, the committee on the review of the national minimum wage has not been constituted by the government.

He said the story in the media about the committee beginning its work was not only false and misleading, but mischievous, pointing out that nonexistent committee could not have started meeting.

He said, “Considering the sensitive nature of the issue, the story is not only alarmist, it constitutes an unnecessary overheating of the polity. To the best of our knowledge, government accepted to set up two committees as a result of the major protest action by labour following the increase in the pump price of petroleum products from N86:50 to N145.

“These committees are Palliatives Committee and National Minimum Wage Committee. Broadly-speaking, they are to make recommendations to government on how to cushion the harsh effects brought on the people by the sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products as well as address other issues connected with the workings of the institutions in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, especially the PPPRA.

“Similarly, the committees are to make recommendations on other challenges militating against the regular supply of petroleum products. The acceptance of government to set up these committees was part of the process of addressing the concerns of labour.

“On June 2nd, 2016, the Committee on Palliatives was inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. An inaugural meeting chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, held immediately thereafter during which it was agreed that a tripartite committee (comprising representatives of Government, Employers and Labour) on a new National Minimum Wage be set up in line with extant law and procedure.

“Organised labour had taken the position that in order to deepen its presentation, it would consult widely with its affiliate unions. Although the frame work or the outline of the work of the committee and its membership were discussed, the committee was not constituted.

“Part of the explanation for this was that the annual International Labour Conference in Geneva to which the stake holders in labour were invited was already in progress and members had to travel to Geneva.

“We have no doubt that with the stakeholders back from Geneva, the committee will be constituted in line with established law, convention and practice.”