Dr Hamza Soliu, a Lecturer in Economics
Department, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria,
Kaduna State, has urged the Federal Government
to be transparent in the process with labour union
on the implementation of minimum wage to avoid
economic shut down in election year.
Labour leaders during the rally to create
awareness on the new Minimum Wage for workers
organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress
Soliu gave the advice in a telephone interview
with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Sunday.
NAN recalls that Federal Government, through the
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris
Ngige, had promised to transmit the executive bill
on minimum wage to the National Assembly by
Jan. 23.
He explained that it would be dangerous for
government to allow organised labour to call for
strike in the period the country was preparing for
general elections.
According to him, continuous engagement with
leadership of the union in ensuring the bill is
passed and assented to, will help to avert
economic shut down.
“The government must be open throughout the
process and give organised labour a sense of
belonging,†he said.
The don urged government to be more responsive
in catering for welfare and well being of civil
servants in the country.
“Though, review of minimum wage is
constitutional but in my view, there are more to
the strategy of making the working class get
improved welfare than salary increment.
“Cost of energy, food, transportation and
accommodation take the highest proportion of
income of the working class and government
should find ways to address them to make life
comfortable for workers.â€
Soliu cautioned government against inflation while
increasing wages, pointing out that rate of
productivity must match with wage increase to
prevent inflation. (NAN)
Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/
minimum-wage-economist-tasks-fg-on-
transparency/
