Former representative of Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone at the upper chambers of the National Assembly Kaduna Shehu Sani has called on the Federal Government to wad into the minimum wage agitation by labour.
The former lawmaker warned that the issue of minimum wage should be addressed to avoid strikes from the organized labour.
Sani made this disclosure while speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday.
He also stated that the issue of minimum wage increment is within the means of the Federal government of Nigeria.
He said, “I don’t know how a Nigerian can survive with less than N100,000. If you break down what the government is offering N45,000-48,000, you will see how unrealistic it is by the time you factor in many things. The position taken by labour should be considered by the Government.
“It is one thing agreeing to increase the minimum wage and then the capacity to pay. Let us not forget that in the last few years, the Government has been finding it difficult to even pay the ones that I already have on paper. So, how this could be reflected should be considered.
“But from what we have learnt since the withdrawal of subsidy, the Government has more money. And there’s no better way to effectively and productively spend it than to increase the minimum wage of Nigerian workers. To a reasonable point where he can adequately take care of his family,” the former Senator said.
Sani insisted that the Government has the resources for a minimum wage of N615,000. He added that living wage for the labourers’ is not a bad idea and should be considered but should be at a “reasonable point.”
The former Senator also emphasized the reason for displeasure from the citizens on the current economic hardship. He said, it is because workers seem to be the only ones sacrificing for the economy.
“Economic reforms are taking place in this country, there are consequences for the reforms. There are supposed to be sacrifices but it should be across the board.
“Workers are seeing that money is coming in trillions, they want their own share. When a nation subsidizes, it makes more value for wages. But when they are removed, you have to pay for it,” Sani said.
source: Vanguard