Speaking to journalists after the presentation, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said every member of the tripartite committee signed the report.
He said the agitation for the national minimum wage was not connected to the forthcoming general elections in the country.
On the capacity of state governments to pay the N30,000, he said “the N18,000 was being paid from 2011 to 2015 until when most of the states emptied their treasuries before elections.
“It was coincidence. In 2011, it was almost at the same time. At whatever time the minimum wage is due, it is our responsibility to raise the issue,” he said.
However a source at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said while the president’s endorsement means that federal civil servants would earn N30, 000 as minimum wage, it may not be the same for state workers as governors have said they do not have the resources to pay the amount.
The source added that the governors’ forum did not insist that all states must pay N22, 500 but said those who have capacity to pay N30, 000 minimum wage should go ahead and do so.
Briefing journalists last week, Chairman of the forum, and Governor of Zamfara State Abdul’aziz Yari said it was their position that since the percentage of salaried workers is not more than 5% of the total working population, their position must not just reflect a figure, but also a sustainable strategy based on ability and capacity to pay.
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