The Nigeria Council of State, made up of, among others, present and past Presidents and Heads of State has finally agreed to N27,000 as new minimum wage for the Nigerian workers.
Rising from a meeting today, Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Council gave President Muhammadu Buhari a go-ahead to present the bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly before the close of tomorrow, Wednesday.
Briefing news men shortly after the meeting today, the Minister of labour and productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, referred the exclusive list of the constitution, second schedule, item 34 and said that it is not a job that can be done by the executive alone.
“The president has to transmit the bill to the National Assembly and the National Assembly will take legislative action and return the bill that has been so treated to the president for his assent.
“So, a bill will now be transmitted to the National Assembly that will amend the 1981 Act and 2011 Act. The highlight is what you want to know. The figure of N27,000 monthly has been approved for transmission to the National Assembly. “The frequency of the review of the bill is five years, to get it in consonance with pension law of the federation as enshrined in the constitution.
“Exemptions to this bill will be establishments that are not employing people up to the number of 25. The various times prescribed have also been altered in the bill and will be sent to the National Assembly before the close of work tomorrow.”
