Reps Seek Payment Of Living Wages For Workers.

House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 6, advocated for the payment of living wages to Nigerian workers at the rate that would be commensurate with current economic realities across the world.

The House directed its relevant committees of Labor and Employment, Finance and National Planning to work out modalities for the payment of living wages to Nigerian workers at rates that match economic realities.

In its resolution following a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley China, and 37 other members, the House resolved to transmit its resolution to the Senate for concurrence.

The federal government recently set up a tripartite committee made up of persons drawn from the executive, organized Labour, state government and the organized private sector to negotiate the minimum wage.

Moving the motion on behalf of the sponsors, Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) said the rising rate of inflation in the country, which has made it difficult for average Nigerians to afford basic needs such as food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and clothing.

He explained that the rising inflationary rate in the country has also hurt the cost of living, with the cost of food, accommodation, education, and transportation skyrocketing.

He recalled that the Speaker of the House of Representatives had on September 29, 2023, at the State Banquet in Abuja, opined that it is only a living wage that can ameliorate the insecurity and corruption pervading the country.