Bill to review minimum wage scales second reading in House

A bill which seeks to amend the National Minimum Wage Act and ensure that the minimum wage is reviewed every five years on Tuesday passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

Leading the debate on the bill first read on May 17, 2017, House Majority Leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos/APC), said that the bill seeks to provide for periodic review of the national minimum wage.

Rep. Gbajabiamila blamed the continuous clamour by workers for an increase in the minimum wage on inflation.

The lawmaker said that salaries form a major component of workers welfare, asserting that there is the need for a law that will compel the Federal Government to periodically review the minimum wage as the need arises.

According to Gbajabiamila, the minimum wage shall be subject to periodic review every five years and the first review shall be effective from January 1, 2017, irrespective of the day the bill comes into force.

He added that “this bill seeks to amend Section 9 of the principal Act by inserting a paragraph. The paragraph reads review which means either maintaining the status quo which shall not be maintained for two consecutive periods, or an upward review.”

“It is unfortunate that there is no law that compels or mandates the government to review workers’ salaries periodically. It is rather done at the whims and caprices of the government no matter what the situation.

“This review is not a privilege but fundamental right of the citizens. You cannot say you are fighting corruption without giving the people the leadway to put bread on their tables.”

Contributing to the debate, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia/PDP) said that the bill was apt to ensure that government does not neglect the welfare of workers.

She added that a periodic review of workers’ salary would encourage efficiency within the country’s workforce.
Also, Rep. Rotimi Agunsoye (Lagos/APC) said the current minimum wage was inadequate for the survival of an average Nigerian worker.

He cautioned that failure to review the minimum wage could lead to corrupt practices among workers.
The last review of the national minimum wage was carried out in 2011