‘Minimum wage should be N150K,’ Senator says

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May 2, 2017 12:55 PM

Senator Shehu Sani also said that the current minimum wage of N18,000 is a big insult to Nigerian workers.

Senator Shehu Sani

Senator

Sani also said that the current minimum wage of N18,000 is a big insult to Nigerian workers.

The Senator made the comments on Monday, May 1, during the workers’ day celebration in Abuja.

“When you say N56,000 or N60,000, sometimes all these things are tied to our foreign exchange. Nigerian workers should have not less than $300 per month and that will be between N140,000 and N150,000,” Sani said.

“I would be one of those that would push it forward. Nigeria has the resources to do that. The amount of money that is being used to maintain and sustain political office holders, the amount of money being wasted on corruption, the amount of money being stolen both known and unknown are monumental to the point that we cannot tell ourselves that such a country that pride itself as a giant of Africa will be paying less than $20 in the name of minimum wage.

“N18,000 or N20,000 minimum wage is an insult to Nigerian workers because it cannot sustain even a dog or security man in the house of a politician. So, as far as I am concerned, I believe the only way to be fair and just is not just to peg it but rather make it a government policy. Public and private working places should maintain that especially you journalists that have no salary.

“I think there should be a law that should peg a minimum wage and take it to the dollar and that will be the best way which workers will be able to sustain themselves and their family,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara were forced to leave Eagles Square in Abuja after angry workers disrupted May Day activities while demanding the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

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