The Bill titled ”National Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill to make provisions for periodic review of national minimum wage every 5years etc. (HB 1028) passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
Leading the debate on the Bill, the sponsor, Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila (APC:Lagos) stated that its proposed amendments would mandate the Government to make provision for a periodic review of the national minimum wage.
Hon. Gbajabiamila also expressed concern for workers who had constantly agitated for an increase in wages since no law mandated the government to review the minimum wage. He was of the view that while it was not mandatory that wages are increased at the slightest call of workers, the Bill would nonetheless create an enabling platform for conversations to ensue.
Also speaking on the Bill, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP:Enugu) was of the view that disagreements over minimum wage was best avoided by having an established legal framework. He also stated that there should be some certainty with regards to what the labor force earns rather than being a confrontational matter where workers have to go on strike. He also canvassed that it would encourage more business engagements and enable employees meet projection targets.
The Bill has been referred to the Committee on Labor and Productivity for further legislative input.
