President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that expeditious action would be taken on the technical report on the New National Minimum Wage.
The pledge was made when the Bismarck Rewane-led Presidential Advisory Committee on New National Minimum Wage, inaugurated on January 9, submitted its report at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, yesterday.
The meeting came one week after the Senate approved N30, 000 minimum wage for federal and state workers across the country.
“We will review this report expeditiously, as the process we may need to engage with some members of your committee. I therefore implore you to make your services available whenever we may call on you,” Buhari said.
The Ama Pepple-led National Minimum sage Committee had submitted its report last November.
The lawmakers gave the approval after the National Minimum Wage Bill was read and passed for the third time in the Senate.
Buhari commended members of the committee for their patriotism, hardwork and sacrifices in ensuring they deliver the report before receipt of the minimum wage bill from the National Assembly.
Terms of reference of the committee included: develop and advise government on how to successfully bring about a smooth implementation of impending wage increases; identify
new revenue sources, as well as areas of existing expenditure from where some savings could be made in order to fund the wage increases without adversely impacting the nation’s development goals as set out in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan; propose a work plan and modalities for the implementation of the salary increases; and any other suggestions that will assist in the implementation of this, and future wage increases.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and the Secretary to the government of the Federal, Boss Mustapha, were among those present at the presentation of the report.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, and that of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, as well as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, amongst others.
President Buhari, had during the budget proposal presentation, promised a new minimum wage, which he said, will help maintain jobs for the teaming unemployed.
He had also promised to set up a special committee to look into the current fiasco concerning the minimum wage and come up with ideas of reducing debt and yet, increasing the minimum wage.
“We have included the implementation for the National Minimum Wage. I will be sending a Bill to this National Assembly, on this.
“To avoid a system crisis on the Federal Government and states, it is important to device ways to ensure that its implementation does not lead to an increase in the level of borrowing.
“I am accordingly setting up a high-powered technical committee to advice on ways of funding an increase in the minimum wage and attendant wage adjustments without having to resort to additional borrowing.
“The work of the committee will be the basis of finance bill which will be submitted to the national assembly alongside the minimum wage bill.”
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