The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, on Tuesday denied that the states were not paying the new minimum wage of N18,000 signed into law in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The minister told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that “since the President signed the bill into an act, it has been implemented by almost all concerned''.
He explained that both the Federal Government and the states had been at the forefront of implementation of the Act.
Wogu said that some states of the federation had not only implemented it, they had “actually'' paid more than the recommended wage.
He said that states like Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers paid N20,000, which is above the minimum wage, to their workers.
?“A large number of people have complied.
?“However, when there are such allegations of non compliance, government agencies and authorities that are involved with compliance of certain policies would require specify mention of areas of non compliance.
“We, at the Ministry of Labour, await particular and specific instances of non compliance from whoever is alleging that there is no compliance.
“Based on the allegations by the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC) during the May Day celebration, I have convened a meeting between my ministry and the labour union for next week Monday,’’ he added.
Speaking on the outcome of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Enforcement Programme (SUREP), the minister urged Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government.
He said that the intention of the government was to use the programme to complement the ongoing reforms in the country.
“The impact might not be now because it is still early but be sure that before long, Nigerians would feel the impact.'' `