NLC expresses hope on expeditious passage of Minimum Wage Bill by Senate

President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, on Thursday, said he was hopeful that the Senate would concur with the House of Representatives for quick passage of the Minimum Wage Bill.

Wabba made the remarks in an interview with journalists on his expectation on the bill presently before the Senate shortly after a public hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that the lower chamber had, on Jan. 29, passed the the Minimum Wage Bill, pegging it at N30, 000 as against the N27, 000 proposed by the National Council of State.

The NLC leader, who commended the House of Representatives for listening to the workers’ demand, charged the Senate to do the needful as soon as it resumes.

”Our expectation is that before now they have promised us that the bill is going to receive accelerated consideration.

”You have heard clearly we have thanked the House of Reps who, within the space of three days, considered and passed the bill.

”I think it is a bill that affects more than 11 million direct workers and many millions of dependants. And therefore, it is so important and strategic.

”So there is no reason that can be adduced for any form of delay.

”We hope that immediately, they will do what is right and what is expected of them by also concurring with what the House of Reps has done so that workers can have a succour because clearly, we know as a matter of fact that the current minimum wage cannot even take workers home.

”Many workers are finding it very difficult to maintain their families and have a decent life.

”So it is not a decent wage, certainly, it is a poverty wage. And therefore, whatever can be done to alleviate the situation of workers will certainly be appreciated,” he said.

On President Muhammadu Buhari’s remark that the N30, 000 minimum wage the Federal Government approved for the federal workers would only affect the lower cadre workers, Wabba said: ”It is about law and not about any imposition by any employer.

“I think we have also passed that level because already the bill for N30, 000 has been passed by the House of Reps.”