Breaking: Senate Passes Minimum Wage Bill From N30,000 To..

This should be a pleasant news for the generality of Nigerian workers as the National Minimum wage is no longer N30, 000.

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary, made it possible, passing the 2024 National Minimum Wage Amendment Act Bill.

It has now made the wage N70, 000, following  presentation and adoption of a report on the bill by the leader of the Senate, .Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti).

The bill began its journey July 23 when President Bola Tinubu transmitted to the Upper legislative chamber.

Before its accelerated hearing, resulting into its first and second reading in line with Senate Rule 80, Bamidele, had said the bill sought  to increase it and reduce the time for periodic review from five years to three years.

He referred to many agitations that had followed the old wage, and that these had warranted negotiations amongst the relevant parties and an upward review.

Bamidele, said the prompt passage of the wage bill  was in line with the federal government’s  bid to mitigate suffering in the country.

Opeyemi urged lawmakers to support the quick passage of the bill, adding that its passage was sacrosanct to the socio-economic and political well-being of Nigeria.

In addition, the Senate also passed a bill that inter alia sought to reduce the time for periodic review of the National Minimum Wage from Five (5) years to Three (3) years, and for Related Matters.

Said the senator while presenting the bill: “Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, I humbly rise to lead the debate on the general principles of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 550).

“The Bill, inter alia seeks to amend the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, to increase the National Minimum Wage and reduce the time for periodic review of the National Minimum Wage from Five (5) years to Three (3) years, and for Related Matters.

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“You will recall, Mr. President, my dear Colleagues, that in recent times, a plethora of agitations and clamours have been recorded from Organised Labour and another segment of our society, for an increase in the National Minimum Wage given the prevailing economic situation in the country.

“In response to the agitations and after a series of negotiations between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour, the current National Minimum Wage of N30,000 Naira only has been reviewed upward to the sum of N70,000 Naira only.