It was reported across various media platforms, when President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage bill into law on April 18, ushering in a new pay structure for Nigerian workers.
Here are reactions on social media:
A revolutionary salute to the Nigerian Worker on workers day.The NLC & the Aviation workers must devise ways of imposing ‘no fly’ sanctions for any Governor or Industrialist or CEOs who deliberately refused to implement the 30k Minimum wage.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) May 1, 2019
Almost every Governor in Nigeria said he can pay minimum wage. But what are they waiting? Why they didn't implement it this month while it was sign in to law
— Iliyasu Datti Gwarzo (@DattiIliyasu) May 1, 2019
A person who earns a minimum wage of ₦18,000 in 2016 and buys fuel at N87/litre would be able to buy 206.90 litres, and a person earning the minimum wage of ₦30,000 in 2019 and buys fuel at N145/litre will be able to buy exactly the same 206.90 litres. #PwCTaxChat
— PwC Nigeria (@PwC_Nigeria) May 2, 2019
Nigerian Senators are the highest paid politicians in the world.
They are paid about N13 million as running costs monthly, N750,000 basic salary monthly & millions of Naira in furniture, cars, wardrobe & housing allowances
The new minimum wage is about N30,000
— Nigeria Fact Zone (@NGRFacts) April 26, 2019
In this light, some state governors have openly expressed reservations about their ability to pay the new N30,000 minimum wage to their workers.
The governors cited issues of low funds and unfavourable economic conditions as major reasons for their hesitation in implementing the new minimum wage.
However, The National Assembly had passed the bill approving N30,000 as the minimum wage for workers.
At the Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Federal Government is committed to the implementation of the national minimum wage.
Mr Osinbajo said the government will provide an enabling environment for the Nigerian workers and improve their quality of living.
“We are more committed to protecting human rights and changing the health sector,” he said.
The governors who spoke, bared their minds at the 2019 International Workers’ Day celebration that held in different states across the country on Wednesday.
They warned that workers may have to pay more tax if they are to fully implement the new minimum wage regime.
David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, stated that he would neither be the first nor the last to pay the new wage.
He said workers should prepare for an increase in tax if they want to receive N30,000 as minimum wage.
“You see this issue of minimum wage, I will not be the first nor the last to pay it, but I will pay. Civil servants and others should be prepared to pay tax in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Similarly, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor of Enugu State, as reported by Sahara Reporters, said the state lacks required funds to meet the new wage requirement, adding that workers should pray for a boost in the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.
Ugwuanyi said: “In as much as the government will remain true to its obligations, I will tell you the nation’s economy is not robust.
“I have taken notice of the new national minimum wage as signed into law, but workers should pray for improvement in financial resources of the state.”
“We will ensure that these issues are comprehensively and satisfactorily addressed in concert with other relevant government agencies and departments.”
However, in a reaction to the comments by some of the state governors on their inability to pay the new wage, Comrade Agnes Funmilayo Sessi, Lagos State Chair of Nigeria Labour Congress, is quoted as saying any governor that fails to pay the new N30,000 wage should resign.
She said: “Any governor that feels that they cannot pay the salary of the workers should resign. That means they have failed in their duties and they are incapable of holding that position.
“If they can reduce corruption and bogus spending, there is no state that will not be able to pay the workers the new wage. When they are electing them, did they promise the people that they will starve them?”
Source: Biafra Star