It was cheering news for workers in Edo State yesterday as the Edo State governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole put pen to paper for the full implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage, just as he promised to pay outstanding arrears starting from June 2011.
Oshiomhole who briefed journalists at the executive chambers shortly after signing the agreement reached between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the joint negotiating council said the government had met and discussed all the grey areas in arriving at a consensus for it full implementation.
An elated Oshiomhole said: “I am happy that the Edo State government and the unions under the umbrella of the NLC and TUC and, of course, the joint council, that we have met, discussed and have reflected all the issues arising from the implementation of the minimum wage in Edo State public service and I am happy that we have wrapped up an agreement.
“We recognise that the issue of minimum wage is not open to negotiation; it is a matter of law and as a government we have obligation to respect the law and to lead by example. Like I have argued before: a law may be convenient; it may not be convenient, but it is the law of the land; it must be obeyed. But I also believe that, law aside, the reality of cost of living in Nigeria is such that no one can question the desirability of a national minimum wage.”
He expressed concern over other unions that might not benefit from the minimum wage or lacked the negotiating power to demand an increase in wages, and urged Nigerians to continue to demand higher minimum wage to meet the reality of the nation’s economy.
“Nigeria will continue to need extra minimum wage in order to protect the lowly paid workers but also taking into account those sectors of the economy where unions may not be in existence or where we are aware they may be too weak to negotiate on their own. We need the law to protect them.
“But I am happy that, today, we have not only agreed on how to implement, but that we have also agreed on consequential adjustments, upward adjustments in the salaries of all those who are already above N18, 000 minimum wage.”