Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human right lawyer, Femi Falana, has called for the review of the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019.
This, he said, is important giving that the 2019 Act which set the national minimum wage at N30,000, has officially expired.
The legal luminary, therefore, stated that it is time for the National Assembly to pass a new National Minimum Wage Act.
According to him, the section 3(4) of the Act, states that the wage expires after five years. Therefore, it must be reviewed.
Falana further noted that as the Act commenced on April 18, 2019, the minimum wage expired on April 18, 2024.
Recall that during the last May Day rally in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced that a new national minimum wage would take effect on May 1, 2024.
The announcement follows the Federal Government’s removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023. The announcement also led to an additional N35,000 wage subsidy for six months starting September 1, 2023. Thus, bringing the total monthly wage to N65,000 during this period. Additionally, various State Governments, including Lagos and Edo, set their minimum wage at N70,000.
Recall in the ongoing minimum wage negotiation, the Federal Government has proposed a new minimum wage of N48,000.
The proposal has, however, been rejected by the organized labour made of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Due to failed negotiations the labour leaders called out their members across the country for an indefinite strike.
Reports indicate that leaders of the National Assembly have stepped in to mediate the situation. But labour is still not yielding grounds and have called out workers for strike.
But as a way out of the quagmire, Falana advocated for swift passage of a new minimum wage. He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass a new National Minimum Wage Act.
“The NASS to expedited enactment just as they did of the new National Anthem Act.
Recall that new National Anthem was completed within 48 hours last week.
source: Channels TV
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