Minimum wage: Senator asks RMAFC to review revenue formula

…As Senate Committee submits report Tuesday

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West), Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content, has called for the review of Revenue Allocation Formula by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) as a way of effectively implementing the recommended N30,000 minimum way across all tiers of government.

This is the Ad-hoc Committee of the Senate on Minimum wage is expected to submit its report at plenary next Tuesday.

Making his contribution during a meeting of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Minimum Wage chaired by Senator Francis AlimiKhena to considered the Minimum Wage Bill, Senator Adeola supported the recommended N30,000 contained in the National Minimum Wage Bill adding however that the law when passed must be implemented by all the three tiers of government.

“I am in support of the recommended minimum wage as it will go a long way in cushioning the challenges faced by workers. However, there must be no excuse for non-implementation by any tiers of government across the federation.

It is in this wise that I call on the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission to begin a process that will lead to the review of the Revenue Allocation Formula for all tiers of government to be able to pay the minimum wage when passed into law”.

The senator supported the sanctions contained in the bills for indolent workers stressing that while supporting the minimum wage for workers and improve welfare packages, the Civil Service at all levels must be perform at its best as they are critical in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

The Senate Ad Hoc Committee is expected to submit its report for the passage of the bill to the Senate in plenary next Tuesday.