Some governors are calling for a new revenue sharing formula to enable them pay both the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustments that could follow.
According to a member of the tripartite committee who preferred not to be named, the demand is part of the compromise to allow for a smooth implementation of the N62,000 new minimum wage proposed by the federal government.
Recall that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) had insisted about two weeks ago that the N60,000 minimum wage was not sustainable.
NGF said it was in agreement that a new minimum wage was due, as they sympathised with labour unions in their push for higher wages.
However, NGF’s acting Director of Media and Public Affairs, Hajiya Halimah Salihu Ahmed, said the forum urged all parties to consider the fact that the minimum wage negotiations also involved consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners.
NGF cautioned parties in the important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it, saying any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic.
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is in agreement that a new minimum wage is due. The Forum also sympathises with labour unions in their push for higher wages.
“However, the Forum urges all parties to consider the fact that the minimum wage negotiations also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners.
“The NGF cautions parties in this important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it; any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic.
“All things considered, the NGF holds that the ₦60,000 minimum wage proposal is not sustainable and cannot fly. It will simply mean that many states will spend all their FAAC allocations on just paying salaries with nothing left for development purposes.
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“In fact, a few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month. We do not think this will be in the country’s collective interest, including workers.
“We appeal that all parties involved, especially the labour unions, consider all the socioeconomic variables and settle for an agreement that is sustainable, durable, and fair to all other segments of the society who have a legitimate claim to public resources,” the statement read.
