By Emmanuel Sixtus
Minimum wage: As government mandates all bodies to pay minimum wage, a look at the journey
The deed was finally done after years and months of struggle. It’s a consistent fight because of the unstable economy and foreign exchange rate, which have a direct effect on the economic stability of Nigeria.
The recent order from the Nigerian government to implement a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, set to take effect on July 29, 2024, can be vividly imagined as a gardener coaxing a once frail sapling into a robust, towering tree.
Under the stewardship of President Bola Tinubu, the administration has engaged in protracted dialogues with labour unions, much like a diligent gardener meticulously tending to the soil, fortifying the roots before nurturing new growth.
This revised wage, which overshadows the previous ₦30,000 minimum by more than double, stands as a testament to the gardener’s unshaken dedication to providing vital sunlight and water, fostering resilience amid the relentless storms of economic adversity, specifically the biting cost of living.
The enactment of this minimum wage across every state and within the private sector mirrors the gardener’s resolve to cultivate a balanced ecosystem where each branch of the tree absorbs equal sustenance. Fostering healthy growth and sufficient output.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s exuberance regarding the law’s reach for all workers echoes the gardener’s elation at seeing the entire tree burst into bloom, irrespective of the diverse origins of its branches.
The initial discussions surrounding a potential earlier launch resemble the gardener’s eager anticipation of spring, yearning for the first blossoms. Yet, the decision to backdate the effective start to July 29 underscores the necessity for patience, even as some labour leaders experience a sense of frustration akin to a gardener waiting for the opportune season, despite earlier assurances of an imminent bloom.
Moreover, the government’s vow to reassess the minimum wage every three years reflects a gardener’s ongoing vigilance, ensuring that the tree adapts to the shifting climate while continuing its upward trajectory.
The formulation of salary templates by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission acts as the gardener’s careful pruning, guaranteeing that each branch is afforded the precise support and care it requires.
In essence, the new ₦70,000 minimum wage embodies a holistic endeavour to foster a more vibrant workforce, addressing the stark economic realities faced by the nation.
While some may harbour concerns about the timing, this law signifies a pivotal transformation in labour policy, with the government vowing to nurture its impact, ensuring both adherence and flourishing growth across all sectors.
The transformative journey of the minimum wage ranges from time immemorial, but there has never been a better-crafted approach to it than now.
For all the criticisms of the current president, his commitment towards the working force can be said to be fair.
Initially, he refused to listen to the governors who objected to the minimum wage negotiation on the ground that they could not afford to pay. He went further to sit down with the labour union and agreed to a new minimum wage.
It’s pertinent to understand that the idea or agreement to review the minimum wage every three years is the factor that distinguished this administration, and no matter what is said about it, the negotiation went well for the work force.
