N30,000 minimum wage: Why is Kogi foot-dragging? - Abdul

Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) has been called upon to go back to the negotiation table, demand for N30,000 minimum wage immediately, to stop the modern slavery the workers has been allegedly subjected to.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Right and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Miliki Abdul and was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday.

Miliki Abdul disclosed that minimum wage was a constitutional and legal matter, adding that as an Act of the National Assembly, it is subject for a review every five years, but lamented that it was unfortunate, worrisome that after eighteen good and solid months it signed it into law, Kogi State government is yet to conclude negotiations, not to talk of commencement of payment.

He wonders why the federal government and some states have since commenced payment and Kogi State is still taken time to commence, adding that Kogi State workers cannot and must not be made scapegoats as they are the creators of the wealth that politicians fritter away with reckless abandon.

“Minimum wage is a constitutional and legal matter. An Act of the National Assembly, that’s subject for a review every five years. It is unfortunate, worrisome and uncomfortable, 18 months after, the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammudu Buhari, signed into law, the minimum wage.

“The Kogi State government is yet to conclude negotiations, talk more of the commencement of payment. If the Federal Government and even some states have since commenced payment, what is the rational for the non-completion of negotiations and commencement of payment of the minimum wage in Kogi State?”