By Ogaga Ariemu
Reno Omokri, a socio-political analyst and writer, has told the Nigerian government to adopt the American multiple minimum wage system.
Omokri disclosed this on Saturday through his official X account, while reacting to the Nigeria Governor Forum’s stance that it cannot pay 60,000 minimum wage.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, on Friday insisted that state governors can not pay 60,000 as a minimum wage.
The development comes as the federal government gives organized labour commitment to pay a minimum wage higher than N60,000.
A report from Friday’s Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage disclosed the federal government is offering N62,000 as a minimum while organized labor slashed its N494,000 proposal to N250,000.
Still, the Organised Private Sector, OPS had earlier agreed on N60,000 minimum wage.
Speaking on the various minimum wage proposals, Omokri said instead of having a unified minimum wage, the government should adopt a multiple-wage system.
According to him, the financial resources vary between the federal government and the states.
“Since the governors have said they cannot afford N60,000 as minimum wage, then, instead of a unified minimum wage, why can’t we do as the Americans, and have multiple minimum wages?
“One federal minimum wage and 36 minimum wages, each state having theirs. That will be one small step for workers and a giant step for true federalism. Because, in truth, why should poor states be forced to pay the same minimum wage as wealthier states, like Lagos, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states?
“It is like saying all of us must pay our drivers the same amount that Dangote pays his chauffeurs. All fingers are not equal, and all states are not at the same level,” he said.
In April 2019, Nigeria’s minimum wage was raised to N30,000. Following the expiration of five years as mandated by the law, Nigeria is due for a new minimum wage.
Recall that organized labor shut down the economy on Monday over the government’s failure to reach an agreement on a new minimum wage.
Organized labor suspended the strike for one week after extracting a commitment from the Nigerian government to continue negotiations.
