14th October, 2011
Professor of Industrial Relations, and Acting Provost, College of Humanities and Culture, Osun State University, Okuku Campus, Funmi Adewumi , said that the reluctance of states government to pay the centrally negotiated N18,000 is not because they cannot afford to pay as there is no state government in Nigeria today that cannot afford to pay the proposed minimum wage.
Speaking during a symposium on Federalism and Development – getting it right in Nigeria and public presentation of the book, “Jurisdiction of Courts in Nigeria revised edition by Lawal Pedro, SAN, the DON said Nigerian workers are paid ridiculous wages.
He said that the minimum wage has nothing to do with the system of government but it is the duty of care, which a central government has for its citizenry.
According to him, the motion about the minimum wage was raised since 2007 and was not implemented until 2011 as this shows the lack of political will coupled with the contempt which government in Nigeria has for its citizenry.
Adewumi also described the amount as too meager and not sufficient to guarantee a decent existence as envisaged by the Nigerian constitution since some states, still refuse to pay citing financial constraint as excuse.
“A look at the wage structure in Nigeria reveals that what people earn cannot guarantee the basic needs making it look ridiculousâ€, he said.
During the book launch, “Jurisdiction of Courts in Nigeria”S, the author, Lawal Pedro, SAN, appreciated the efforts of his wife .
—Tosin Areo