Minimum Wage: NECA Calls For Compromise

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), yesterday, called for quick resolution of all issues delaying the payment of the new N30, 000 Minimum Wage.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage on April 18 this year, but disagreement between labour and government over consequential adjustment of wages has caused a delay in the payment of the new wage.
Though there has been a Committee on the Consequential Adjustment, the government and labour representatives have not been able to agree on percentage.
Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the Director-General of NECA, Timothy Adewale, said both parties must adopt the principle of give-and-take to resolve the issue.
Adewale, who led members of NECA to the meeting said, “What we have advised us that in negotiation, the principle of giving and take is important.
“They must not be fixated with their position; in other words, you move positions and meet at an agreeable position.
“You can arrive at a win-win situation and that is what we have been urging the two parties that in the interest of those workers that are very expectant, there is a need for both parties to arrive at a conclusion in the first week of September.”
According to him, almost 80 per cent of organised businesses were already paying higher than the N30,000.00 minimum wage.
He said one of the items on the agenda of the meeting between NECA and the vice president was “the issue of regulatory bodies that are working at cross purposes.”
He noted that it would be against the ease of doing business being championed by the Office of the Vice President and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).