Shehu Sani, however, noted that the offer from the Nigerian government is better than the current minimum wage
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani has frowned at the N48,000 minimum wage proposed by the Federal Government, calling the gesture “Almajiri offer.”
The former senator, who represented
Kaduna Central senatorial district in the Senate, made his feelings known recently via a post on his X page.
During the May Day celebration, President Bola Tinubu had promised workers a living wage, assuring them that their days of waiting for a living wage were over.
However, during the resumption of a tripartite committee meeting with the organised labour on Wednesday, the Federal Government proposed N48,000 monthly as minimum wage for public service workers.
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Prior to this, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), had asked for N615,000, citing the high cost of living as the yardstick for its proposal.
Also wadding in during Wednesday’s meeting, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), suggested N54,000 as new minimum wage, arguing that the least paid worker in the private sector gets N78,000.
After the FG made it proposal, the NLC and TUC unanimously rejected the offer and exited the meeting, which was held virtually.
Reacting to the development, Shehu Sani agreed with the organised labour that the amount proposed by the government is unrealistic.
He, however, added that the gesture was better than the minimum wage currently in place.
Speaking via his verified social media handle, the former senator tweeted: “48k minimum wage is an Almajiri offer to Labour; but quarter moi moi is better than none.”