The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called on organised labour and governors to sheath their swords and wait for the tripartite committee negotiating the new national minimum wage to finalise its assignment.
This followed the media dispute between organised labour and some governors on the new national minimum wage, stating that the body was concerned at the ongoing worrisome pattern of accusation and counter-accusation between both parties on the issue.
Speaking in Lagos, Director-General of NECA, Oyerinde stated that it was instructive to note that the tripartite committee that was constituted to negotiate the national minimum wage was yet to finalise its assignment and waging a war or negotiating on the pages of newspapers could be counterproductive for all stakeholders.
He said the seeming war of attrition on an issue that is programmed to be respectfully negotiated and consensus reached is not only unnecessary but also disrespectful to the entire technical committee.
While expressing concerns at the slow pace of negotiation, Oyerinde expressed concern that the committee’s meeting which was adjourned since the first week of April 2024 is yet to reconvene.
According to him, the protracted delay has the potential to further promote agitation and fester distrust among stakeholders.
To this end, he urged the government to, without delay, recall the tripartite committee to continue its assignment as soon as practicable.
On the recommendations of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), Oyerinde maintained that employers are in absolute support of a new national minimum wage, stressing that an increase in wages could also promote economic activities, stimulate consumption and enhance the capacity utilisation of businesses.
However, the NECA chief said such an increase must take into cognisance the parameters as enshrined in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970, which includes the needs of workers and their families and economic factors.
According to him, an appropriate balance between these two sets of considerations is important to ensure that minimum wages are adapted to the national context and that the effective protection of workers, level of productivity, ability to pay and the development of sustainable enterprises are considered.
