Prominent human rights attorney, Femi Falana, SAN, has called upon the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the new Minimum Wage Act with the same urgency as the recent national anthem bill.

In a press release dated Sunday, June 2, 2024, Falana highlighted that the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 is now outdated, necessitating an urgent review.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced at the last May Day rally that a revised national minimum wage is slated to commence on May 1, 2024.

Following the termination of the fuel subsidy, the Federal Government introduced a temporary wage subsidy of N35,000 for six months from September 1, 2023, raising the total monthly wage to N65,000. Concurrently, state governments implemented varying wage subsidies, with Lagos and Edo announcing a minimum wage of N70,000.

However, the Federal Government's subsequent offer of a N48,000 minimum wage has led to an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, prompted by the failure to agree on a realistic new wage. Reports indicate that the National Assembly leadership is intervening to resolve the strike.

Falana asserts, “Pursuant to the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 the national minimum wage was fixed at N30,000. By virtue of section 3(4) of the Act 2019 the national minimum wage expires after five years, and it shall be reviewed in line with the provisions of this Act.

"Since the commencement date of the Act was the 18th day of April 2019, the national minimum wage of N30,000 has since expired.

"Hence, the Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced during the last May Day rally in Abuja that the new national minimum wage would take effect on May 1, 2024.

"Following the removal of fuel subsidy last year, the Federal Government had announced an additional N35,000 wage award (wage subsidy) for six months, starting from 1 September 2023. During the 6-month period, the total monthly wage payable to a worker was N65,000. In the same vein, the various state governments awarded various sums as wage subsidy to their workers. Both Lagos and Edo State Governments have since announced a minimum wage of N70,000.

"Curiously, the Federal Government turned round to offer a minimum wage of N48,000. Hence, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have embarked on an indefinite strike due to the failure of the Federal Government and other employers of employment to pay a realistic new minimum wage to Nigerian workers. However, it has been reported that the leaders of the National Assembly have intervened in the planned strike.

“The National Assembly should, therefore, pass speedily a new National Minimum Wage Act like the new National Anthem Act that was enacted within 48 hours, last week”.