He however asked for the patience of the different stakeholders, warning workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons.

He promised that the executive and legislative arms would commence the review of the recommendation of the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage.

The committee is headed by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ama Pepple.

The approval by Buhari was based on the recommendation of N30,000 as the new national minimum wage by the committee.

Pepple who had earlier submitted the recommendation of the committee to the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said although it noted the N24,000 by government, it recommended “N30,000 as the new National Minimum Wage of the country.”

She said the committee had already prepared a bill for the new Minimum Wage for the consideration of the government.

Below is the full statement of President Buhari on the new national minimum wage:

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MUMHAMADU BUHARI ON THE OCCASION OF THE RECEIPT OF THE REPORT OF THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE  TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE

On 27th November 2017, I inaugurated the National Minimum Wage Committee with a mandate to recommend a new minimum wage for the workers of our country.

2. This exercise became necessary for many reasons. The last review took place in 2011. We all know since then, the prices of key consumables have increased and the most vulnerable of our workers are struggling to make ends meet.
3. Since 2011, many changes have taken place. Nigeria rebased its GDP to become the largest economy in Africa. We reported very strong GDP growth rates and exceptional performance of our capital markets. However, these reported successes did not flow into the pockets and homes of majority of Nigerians.
4. In the last three years, we focused on correcting this deficiency. We are working to create a diversified and inclusive economy.
5. We are pushing to clear pension arrears owed to our retired workers with the limited resources available to us.
6. We supported State Governments to pay workers salary. And of course, we set up a committee in order to review the minimum wage of workers.
7. In constituting this committee, we took into account the need for all stakeholders to be adequately represented – the government, the private sector and most importantly the workers. Our goal was to get an outcome that was consensual.
8. From the onset, we knew the committee had a difficult task ahead of it. But at the same time, we were also confident that the patriotic and professional background of its members would produce realistic, fair and implementable recommendations that will be considered by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
9. I am not surprised that the committee has worked for close to one year. I am also not surprised that on a few occasions, the debates got heated and sometimes, these differences came out.
10. What is truly inspiring is that, in almost all instances of disagreements, the committee members always came back to the negotiating table with a common goal of improving the welfare of Nigerian workers. On behalf of all Nigerians today, I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifice in getting us to where we are today.
11. In the past few days, I have been receiving regular updates on your deliberations. And today, I am pleased that you have completed your work in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. The entire nation is grateful to you all.
12. The Committee Chairman highlighted some of the challenges encountered during your deliberations, especially as it relates to having a consensus position acceptable by all parties.
13. I understand, on the government side, the concerns raised were around affordability – that today many states struggle to meet their existing salary requirements.
14. On the side of labour, the points raised focused on the need for any increase to be meaningful.
15. In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas. Our plan is to transmit the Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time.
16. I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.
17. Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the organized labour and private sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all your hard work. The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.
18. As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report. I therefore would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.
19. May I therefore, employ workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons.

Thank you and may God bless our country.

The post Buhari approves N30,000 new minimum wage, calls for patience appeared first on Frontpageng.

This, it was gathered, followed the inability to agree on a specific amount.

The figures which would be sent Monday night are N24,000 and N30,000 which the labour unions said was their choice.

The N22,500 which state governors agreed to pay as the new minimum wage was out of the question.

The chairperson of the committee and former Head of Service of the Federation, Ama Pepple, made these known on Monday.

She spoke to journalists at the end of the meeting.

She said the tripartite committee would converge at 10 p.m. for the decision of the government on the new minimum wage.

Pepple also disclosed that the committee appealed to labour not to embark on the indefinite nationwide strike it said it would embark on if the N30,000 was not approved.

The meeting was held in the continued efforts to resolve the crisis over the new minimum wage.

The meeting was begun on Sunday, but the leaders of the labour unions were absent then, stating that they did not get the invitation on time.

The were however at the meeting when it continued on Monday.

Speaking on the meeting earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in whose office the meeting was held, said the only outstanding issue that needed to be dealt with was to harmonise the 5th chapter of the report and get the figures in for the purposes of submission to government.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had emphasised that the concern was not only for the welfare of the workers but also that every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the country’s economy.

“So it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new minimum wage and the economy,” he had said.

The meeting is coming some hours before the commencement of an indefinite strike which the labour unions had scheduled for Tuesday.

The bone of contention is the refusal of the government to pay the N30,000 said to have been agreed upon at the tripartite meeting as the new minimum wage.

Despite the said agreement, governors of the 36 states of the federation had declared that they could only afford to pay N22,500.

The Federal Government has also got a court order to stop the workers from embarking on the strike it threatened, saying it would negatively affect the economy.

The labour unions are however bent on carrying out the strike.

The post Minimum wage: Committee fails to agree, sends two figures to Buhari, NASS appeared first on Frontpageng.