We'll support wage increase, if... -- NECA

Source: Tribune Online
Author: Akin Adewakun

THE Nigerian Employers' Consultative Association (NECA), said members of the association are ready to throw their weight behind a new National Minimum Wage, as long as such increase is in tune with the parameters, enshrined in International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970.

The association, in a statement issued by its Director General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, on Sunday, stated that the nation's employers would give a new minimum wage absolute support since increase in wages would promote economic activities, stimulate consumption and enhance the capacity utilisation of businesses.

It therefore called for an appropriate balance between these two sets of considerations so as 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 taken into account.

The association also called on the Organised Labour and the state governors, currently in media dispute, to sheath their swords, and wait for the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage to finalize their assignment on the project

"We are concerned at the ongoing worrisome pattern of accusation and counter-accusation between Governors and organized labour on the issue of the National Minimum Wage.

"It is instructive to note that the Tripartite Committee that was constituted to negotiate the National Minimum Wage is yet to finalize its assignment, and waging a war or negotiating on the pages of newspapers could be counterproductive for all stakeholders.

"This 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," it stated.

The association, however, expressed concerns at the slow pace of the committee, while decrying the situation where the Committee meeting that was adjourned since the first week of April, 2024, was yet to reconvene.

While urging the government to urgently recall the Committee to enable them conclude the assignment, it added that such protracted delay had the potential to further promote agitation and fester distrust among stakeholders.