The agitation for a new minimum wage reached a crescendo last month when organized labour, epitomised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), couldn't reach a compromise with both the federal and state governments' proposal. The fallout is the upcoming 'mother of all strikes' to be embarked upon by the organized labour today. OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU examines the issues surrounding the new demand, even at a time no fewer than 26 state governors are owing salaries arrears of between two and six months
Nigeria's history of minimum wage cannot be separated from the history of its public service negotiations and increments, dating back to the colonial era and the setting up of Hunts Commission in 1934. It is noteworthy that the first National Minimum Wage Act was enacted in 1981, prescribing a minimum wage of N125 per month, contained in FGN Official Gazette 1981, A53-57.
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