Politics

New minimum wage: See what Senate is to do to Tinubu’s proposed bill expeditious passage

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 15th, 2024.

New minimum wage: See what Senate is to do to Tinubu’s proposed bill expeditious passage

Senate to Expedite Tinubu’s Minimum Wage Bill, Says Spokesman

The Senate announced on Friday, June 14, that it will swiftly consider and pass President Bola Tinubu’s proposed minimum wage bill.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC-Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, made this statement during a press briefing in Abuja.

During his Democracy Day address on June 12, President Tinubu indicated his intention to introduce the bill following consultations with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to determine a mutually acceptable wage figure.

Senator Adaramodu emphasized that while the Senate will prioritize the bill, it will still undergo the standard legislative process before being passed.

He assured that the Senate would act promptly upon receiving the bill from the President, without compromising on legislative rigor. When questioned about the speed of the bill’s passage, he likened it to the rapid approval of the New National Anthem Bill, suggesting that it could be passed very quickly if it aligns with the established procedures and meets no opposition.

“We are committed to passing the bill swiftly for the benefit of Nigerian workers,” Adaramodu said. “If it’s possible to do it within 30 minutes, we will. However, the bill must still go through the necessary legislative scrutiny.”

Addressing concerns about whether state governments could afford the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, Adaramodu expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached among all parties involved. He stressed that the bill, being an executive proposal, would reflect a consensus among federal, state, and local executives.

“Negotiations involve various parameters, and we believe all parties will eventually agree on a figure,” he said. “Once an agreement is reached, the Senate will act without delay to enact it into law, ensuring a better deal for Nigerian workers.”