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The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged both parties to set aside their differences and await the conclusion of the Tripartite Committee's work on the National Minimum Wage.
Addressing the issue in Lagos, NECA's Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, expressed concern about "the ongoing troubling trend of accusations and counter-accusations between governors and organized labor concerning the national minimum wage."
Oyerinde emphasized that the tripartite committee responsible for negotiating the national minimum wage has not yet completed its task, and engaging in a public dispute or negotiation through the media could be detrimental to all involved parties.
He also pointed out that the current confrontational approach on an issue that should be handled with respect and consensus through negotiations is not only unnecessary but also disrespectful to the entire technical committee.
ccording to Oyerinde, the committee meeting that was adjourned since the first week of April 2024 has yet to reconvene, and the association is worried about it.
“This protracted delay has the potential to further promote agitation and fester distrust among stakeholders. We urge the government to, without delay, recall the tripartite committee to continue its assignment as soon as practicable.
“Employers are in absolute support of a new national minimum wage, as an increase in wages could also promote economic activities, stimulate consumption, and enhance the capacity utilisation of businesses,” he averred.
However, Oyerinde said such an increase must take into cognisance the parameters as enshrined in the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970, which includes the needs of workers and their families and economic factors.
“An appropriate balance between these two sets of considerations is important to ensuring that minimum wages are adapted to the national context and that the effective protection of workers, level of productivity, ability to pay and the development of sustainable enterprises are taken into account,” he concluded.
The organised labour is requesting a new minimum wage of N615,000 based on the current socioeconomic indicators.
