Senate has speedily passed the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 (Amendment Bill).
The bill, which scaled second and third readings on Tuesday, barely minutes after it was communicated by President Bola Tinubu, was quickly passed by the upper chamber.
In a unanimous vote after a clause consideration in the Committee of the Whole, the National Minimum Wage Bill scaled third reading and was passed.
In the same vein, bill to increase the National Minimum wage of N70,000 has been passed through Third reading by the House of Representatives
The proposed legislation, sponsored by House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere, aims to increase the national minimum wage and reduce the review period from five to three years.
Professor Ihonvbere, argued that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 is no longer sufficient due to the rising cost of living.
The move to increase the national minimum wage comes as the country grapples with economic challenges, including high inflation and a proposed nationwide protest over the cost of living.
Earlier on Tuesday, the President transmitted the National Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.
The President also asked the lawmakers to reduce the time for periodic review of the national minimum wage from five years to three years and related matters.
Last Thursday, the President and the leadership of the Organised Labour agreed on a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers.
The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage comprises state and federal governments and the Organized Private Sector.
The Federal Government had proposed ₦62,000 while labour insisted on ₦250,000 as the new minimum wage for workers who currently earn ₦30,000 as minimum wage.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stated that Labour accepted N70,000 and rejected President Tinubu’s proposal to provide ₦250,000 minimum wage in exchange for higher petrol prices.
He also said Labour agreed to the ₦70,000 offer because minimum wage would now be reviewed once every three years.
Also, the Nigeria Governors Forum has assured both Nigerians and the organized labour that the ongoing negotiations will result in a better national minimum wage.
A communique released by the Acting Head of Media and Public Affairs of the forum, Hajiya Halima Ahmed Salihu said the new national minimum wage topped the conversation.
RN
