Three Years After Signing Minimum Wage Act, FG Seeks Compliance & Implementation

The Federal Government ((FG) has stated an urgent need to ensure national minimum wage compliance and implementation as it is crucial to the nation’s development.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, made the announcement at a public enlightenment and sensitization session for field officials monitoring the implementation of the National Minimum Wage in Abuja, which the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission organized.

Ngige said, “Ensuring compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act would ensure that workers were not short-changed.

“A satisfied worker would contribute effectively and efficiently to the sustainability and growth of an enterprise. This will in turn contribute to national development and less disruptions in productivity, occasioned by industrial actions.

“There is an urgent need, therefore, to ensure a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of such protection and attain a just and equitable share of the fruits of progress.”

In addition, he stated that both the formal and informal sectors were involved during the collective agreement’s procedures that resulted in the Act.

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He stated that as a result, no institution could claim ignorance or non-participation in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement on the minimum wage. He replied that the Act applied to all establishments.

The NSIWC Chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta, said the commission was determined to implement its mandate to the letter, particularly in the area of salaries and wages.

The Chairman, who was represented by the NSIWC Commissioner, Dr Mojisola Kolade, explained that the commission would go all out to address the problem of wage theft.

He said, “The commission will ensure that people are not short-changed when it comes to salaries and wages. We want the money to be given to the right persons.”