The Nigerian’s Federal House of Representatives on Tuesday considered and passed a bill, raising the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000. The House resolution followed the consideration and approval of the executive bill transmitted to both chambers of the parliament by President Bola Tinubu, read on the floor of the Green Chamber by the House leader, Prof Julius Ihonvebere......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The proposed legislation gives legal backing to the N70,000 minimum wage recently approved by the President after weeks of a face-off with labour unions over a new minimum wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had both threatened a nationwide strike in the event of the failure of the Federal Government to approve a new wage for workers. The unions in several statements lamented the hardship in the land, fueled by the removal of subsidy from the Premium Motor Spirit also known as fuel, and the rising cost of goods and services.
The Federal Government on June 7, 2024, increased its offer for the new minimum wage for workers from N60,000 to N62,000 but the unions insisted on ₦250,000; a development that led to further negotiations until the government’ offer of N70,000 was accepted last week.
At Tuesday’s plenary, the bill was speedily passed through the first and second reading stages, leading to the consideration of the report and final passage to pave the way for the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage.
The bill replaces the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 8, 2019 which provided for N30,000 minimum wage, with five years to negotiate a new wage.
Similarly, the House also passed the Police Act amendment Bill which was also transmitted to the parliament on Tuesday by President Tinubu.
The amendment created a new subsection (8A) which provides that “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act”.
The House therefore, adjourned for seven weeks, to will resume parliamentary duties on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.