Falana Urges NASS to Pass New Minimum Wage Act Within 48 Hours – Citing Swift Action on National Anthem Reversal
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the National Assembly to swiftly pass the new Minimum Wage Act, drawing a parallel to their rapid enactment of the new National Anthem Act within 48 hours last week.
In a press release on Sunday, June 2, Falana highlighted that the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 has expired.
Falana explained, “Pursuant to the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, the national minimum wage was set at N30,000.
By virtue of section 3(4) of the Act, the national minimum wage expires after five years and must be reviewed accordingly. Since the Act commenced on April 18, 2019, the national minimum wage of N30,000 has since expired.”
He noted that the Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced during the last May Day rally in Abuja that a new national minimum wage would take effect on May 1, 2024.
Falana further stated, “Following the removal of the fuel subsidy last year, the Federal Government announced an additional N35,000 wage award (wage subsidy) for six months starting from September 1, 2023.
During this period, the total monthly wage payable to a worker was N65,000. Similarly, various state governments provided wage subsidies to their workers, with Lagos and Edo State Governments setting a minimum wage of N70,000.”
He criticized the Federal Government’s proposal of a N48,000 minimum wage, which led the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to embark on an indefinite strike due to the government’s failure to implement a realistic new minimum wage. Falana acknowledged reports that National Assembly leaders have intervened in the planned strike.
Falana concluded, “The National Assembly should, therefore, pass a new National Minimum Wage Act with the same urgency as the new National Anthem Act enacted within 48 hours last week.”
Falana Urges NASS to Pass New Minimum Wage Act Within 48 Hours – Citing Swift Action on National Anthem Reversal
