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Tag: Minimum wage

  • Nigeria Missing In Top Monthly Minimum Wage Countries In Africa

    Nigeria Missing In Top Monthly Minimum Wage Countries In Africa

    In 2019, Nigeria approved a minimum wage of N30,000 ($39.04) through the passage of the Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly.

    President Tinubu, in a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), pledged that the increased minimum wage would be incorporated into the upcoming budget following the agreement.

    Here is the list of Africa Countries with highest minimum wages per month

    1. Seychelles
    Minimum wage: $426

    Seychelles has the highest minimum wage in Africa at $426 per month.

    Seychelles is an island nation off the coast of east Africa. The country is a tourist haven on the African continent and is made up of less than 500,000 people. Seychelles doubles as Africa’s most developed country and the richest country from the GDP per capita.

    2. Morocco
    Minimum wage: $360

    Morocco has the second highest minimum wage in Africa at $426 per month.

    Morocco’s biggest employment sector is agriculture, the country also has a significant presence in manufacturing, tourism, mining and others. In 2018, Morocco was announced as the most visited country in Africa beating South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and others to clinch the position.

    3. Libya
    Minimum wage: $325

    Libya has the third highest minimum wage in Africa at $325 per month.

    The Libyan labour industry has some of the most stable laws guiding labourers’ earnings on the entire African continent, the law provides for an eight-hour-a-day work life. Nonetheless, the industry has been claimed to be largely discriminatory offering secluded treatments to citizens and other Africans, with some drawing some racial concerns. The country has its capital Tripoli.

    4. Gabon
    Minimum wage: $255

    The current minimum wage in Gabon in Dollars is $255 per month.

    Gabon has a sufficiently standard labour industry, nonetheless, a majority of the laws on labour in the country are either not enforced or are ignored by employers. This has seen complaints from labourers working longer hours and even earning less than minimum wage.

    Agriculture is the country’s biggest employer.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, states open talks on minimum wage review

    5. Mauritius
    Minimum wage: $251

    The Minimum wage in Mauritius is $251.

    Mauritius has a very flexible labour sector with increased concentration on finance, tourism and other service-related sectors. The country has a population of over one million people with Port Louis being its capital and largest city.

    Mauritius is currently home to some of the biggest financial service providers on the African continent.

    6. South Africa
    Minimum wage: $242

    South Africa is the sixth highest-paying nation on the African continent. The country has a minimum wage of $242.

    South Africa has transformed its labour laws since the apartheid era with free trade and an eventual open economy for all South Africans.

    7. Equatorial Guinea
    Minimum wage: $200

    Equatorial Guinea’s minimum wage is currently $200.

    Equatorial Guinea has large petroleum reserves.

    Nonetheless, Equatorial Guinea’s Minimum Wage is the lowest amount a worker can be legally paid for his work.

    The labour laws in Equatorial Guinea are somewhat dictatorial, with the absence of labour unions, strikes made illegal and the compulsory work-for-pay regime. Employees in Equatorial Guinea only have the option of reporting their employment grievances to form employers, including the government, to the Ministry of labour. The country’s capital is Malabo and has a population of over a million people.

    8. Djibouti
    Minimum wage: $198

    Djibouti canceled its national minimum wage as part of the 2006 Labor Code in favor of occupational categories. Now, employers and employees set wages as part of an employment contract. Public sector workers have a minimum wage of 35,000 DJF, or about $198 a month.

    9. Kenya
    Minimum wage: $178

    The East African nation is the largest economy in East Africa and also stands as one of Africa’s strongest financial centres. Kenya has a stable labour industry with some of the most skilled labour forces when it comes to service offerings.

    The Kenyan economy is the 3rd largest in Sub-Saharan Africa and is one of the richest nations in Africa by GDP per capita. Its capital, Nairobi, is one of Africa’s strongest financial cities and the biggest financial centre in East Africa.

    10. Egypt
    Minimum wage: $172

    Egypt’s legal monthly minimum wage is $172.

    Some of the major business centers in Egypt include Cairo, Alexandria, and Sharm el-Sheikh.

  • Oshiomhole: Tinubu’s Government Not a Magical Solution, But a Courageous Path for Nigeria

    Oshiomhole: Tinubu’s Government Not a Magical Solution, But a Courageous Path for Nigeria

    In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adams Oshiomhole, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, emphasized that Nigerians should not expect miraculous solutions from President Bola Tinubu’s government. Oshiomhole firmly stated that Tinubu is not a “magician” who can instantly resolve the country’s issues.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) did not promise magical or overnight solutions during its campaign, as Oshiomhole clarified. He challenged anyone to produce a document that guarantees specific quick fixes within a short time frame.

    Instead, Oshiomhole praised Tinubu as a courageous leader who has demonstrated the willingness to make tough decisions and face the consequences head-on. He commended Tinubu’s approach in addressing the impacts of the subsidy removal on petrol and implementing measures to manage those consequences.

    During the interview, Oshiomhole also criticized the current N30,000 minimum wage, labeling it a “criminal wage” due to its inadequate purchasing power when considering inflation and exchange rates. He highlighted that the value of the minimum wage has significantly eroded over the years.

    In conclusion, Oshiomhole’s message revolves around urging Nigerians to exercise patience with Tinubu’s government and acknowledge that solving the nation’s challenges requires courage and steadfastness, rather than relying on quick miracles.

  • Subsidy: NLC Boycott Meeting With FG, TUC Negotiates On Wage Increase

    Subsidy: NLC Boycott Meeting With FG, TUC Negotiates On Wage Increase

    The Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC) was absent on Sunday evening at the reconvened meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of the organised labour centre at the State House, Abuja.

    The first meeting held last Wednesday to discuss the contentious issue of the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy was attended by representatives of both the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) but at the reconvened meeting on Sunday, representatives of the NLC failed to turn up.

    At the resumed meeting, the Trade Union Congress presented a list of demands to government, with minimum wage review topping the list.

    Read more: Senator Wamakko Symphatises With People Of Tangaza Over Banditry Attack

    Speaking with newsmen after the meeting held at the Conference room of the Chief of Staff’s office which lasted for about two and a half hours, both sides disclosed that negotiations would continue from Tuesday when the federal government side, which said it would be taking the demands to President Bola Tinubu, is expected to come with answers to labour’s myriad of demands.

    Apart from the demand for a review of the minimum wage, the TUC also demanded a tax break for Nigerian workers even as it said it would leave the remaining items on the list undisclosed until the government representatives must have relayed the list to the President and come back with positions.

    Spokesman of the government’s side, Mr Dele Alake, expressed satisfaction at the proceedings, giving a hint that the demands by the TUC were not impracticable, but noted also that the President must be allowed time to consider them.

    According to him, government will look into the issue of minimum wage, since the removal of subsidy has the immediate consequence of reducing the purchasing power of the people.

    He added that government would be putting a tripartite committee together to study all dynamics relating to the subsidy.

    His words: “Well, as you all know, we had this reconvened meeting today as we promised you few days ago when we had the initial meeting with the Labour movement. We said we were going to reconvene today to keep the engagement on, in order to diffuse the tension in the land as a result of the withdrawal of subsidy, which is a reality. Now, we are very happy to announce to Nigerians that this engagement has been very productive.

    “The TUC that attended today’s meeting presented a list of demands and those demands we have studied and we are going to present to Mr President for his consideration. But those demands we can announce to Nigerians that a lot of the items on the list are not impracticable. What we need to do is to study the numbers very well, then we have asked the TUC to also give us a leeway to consult very exhaustively and reconvene on Tuesday to actually look at the numbers’ viability, practicability of all the items that have been presented to us.

    “Now, most important and top priority on the list, which the government is also looking at very seriously and the President has announced before, is the issue of the minimum wage, which the Labour movement has demanded is the consequential impact of this removal of subsidy.

    “So, government is look at that and Mr President is most likely going to constitute a tripartite committee that is a committee of federal government, including the state and then the organised Labour and the private sector.

    “Now, this is a tripartite arrangement, it will be a committee that will study all the dynamics of a wage increase in percentages, the numbers and the categories that will be affected. So by Tuesday, when we come back to reconvene to meet with the TUC again, we should have very concrete items to present to the world. But the most important thing for today is that we are making appreciable progress with the Labour”.

    Asked what the TUC demands are, he said

    “it is a list but we are not going to be listing all of them now. The most important is the minimum wage that is increase of minimum wage. Because, when this thing is removed, the argument of Labour is that there is an immediate impact on the workers, on the purchasing power because price of fuel has gone up.

    “So, that will necessarily reduce the purchasing power of the average worker. So, the next thing of immediate consequence is to increase the purchasing power of the worker. So, that to me and to all of us on this side is the top most priority on the list. There are other things like the tax holidays which some categories of workers will be beneficiaries. But the most important is the minimum wage”.

    On whether the team is also negotiating with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alake said “no. We are not, but we are making efforts to reach NLC. We all agreed that we are going to meet here, but again, in this game there are dynamics. Sometimes, they could be meeting with their own executives and not able to meet with us, or they could want to postpone or they have not actually articulated their list of demands as the TUC. But we cannot second guess why they are not here. But efforts are being made to reach them, we are not isolating them at all”, he said.

    Asked if the meeting discussed the claim that NLC was working for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded elections, Peter Obi, Alake declared “no not at all. It has no relevance to the discussion on the concrete terms of the welfare of the workers. Our discussion was majorly on the welfare of workers, how to cushion the impact of this subsidy removal on workers that’s all. Not on any political partisanship.”

    Also speaking to reporters, President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, said his team attended the meeting as directed by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), saying they had submitted their list of demands and would be expecting a feedback by next Tuesday.

    Asked if his union was satisfied with the discussion so far, Osifo said “yes, we have presented the list of our demands to them and they received it in good faith that they will go back to their principal and come back to us on Tuesday.

    “So we’re hopeful that the demands that we have presented will be reviewed in the best interest of Nigerian workers and the entire Nigerian masses”, he said.

    On what the spefic demands of TUC are, he said “the demands are so long, they are so many, part of it is the demand for a (review) of the minimum wage and we stated that for us, quite apt that the minimum today is not a living wage, as we all know. The value of the minimum wage since it was negotiated, has plummeted to a very abysmal level, as it is today.

    “Because they are going back to Mr President, we also think that we should also give them that benefit of doubt because the things we presented to them the last time, they did not also reveal it before the press so it is also quite apt for them to go back, maybe when we meet on Tuesday, we can dissect them one after the other and be much more specific”, he said.

    The federal government’s team to yesterday’s meeting was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. Others are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefie; former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

    Also at the meeting were the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Zacch Adedeji; Executive Vice President, Downstream, of the NNPCL, Yemi Adetunji and Hon James Faleke, among others.

    The seven-man TUC team was led by Osifo.

  • Tinubu Promises To Work On Minimum Wage, Exchange Rate

    Tinubu Promises To Work On Minimum Wage, Exchange Rate

    President Bola Tinubu has promised to review the minimum wage to align with the current economic realities of the country.

    According to him, the federal and state governments need to take a look at the minimum wage together and also strengthen the source and application of the country’s revenue.

    He made this known on Friday while meeting with the members of the Progressive Governors Forum, who declared support for the president on the removal of subsidy.

    Speaking when he received members of the Imo’s Hope Uzodimma-led forum, Tinubu said, “We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage,’’ adding, “We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue.’’

    The president told the governors, “I have inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This is the first time you entered the Council Chambers, and it is my first time too for a meeting.

    “As progressives and thinkers under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, you have a role to play in educating our people and making sure we manage ourselves.”

    He also assured that the multiple exchange rates currently prevalent in the country would be streamlined saying “If we work together, the Nigeria of our dreams is not far away. Rest assured that we will not have multiple exchange rates anymore. You asked for this meeting, and I had to set aside time to be here

    “We have a political party that we will need to manage, whichever way, we have inherited assets and liabilities, and we cannot complain.”

    Speaking on behalf of the PGF, Uzodimma pledged to support the President, adding that the decisions already taken by Tinubu foretell good intentions for the economy

  • The Incoming Govt Should Review Minimum Wage — Ngige

    The Incoming Govt Should Review Minimum Wage — Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige says the incoming administration of the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu should start discussions on a review of the minimum wage currently obtainable in Nigeria immediately after its inauguration in May.

    The minister, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, said the next government should come up with a new minimum wage higher than the current N30,000 by May 2024.

    He also said the outgoing administration of President Muhammadu Buhari approved pay raise for “hardcore civil servants”, effective January 1, 2023, adding that there is a provision for it in the 2023 budget.

    According to the minister who was a member of a committee that negotiated a new minimum wage in 2018 which ended it in 2019, more than one year, the minimum wage in the West African country should be reviewed every five years to fit current standard of living.

    “It is a tripartite negotiation involving public sector, private sector and state governments,” he said, adding that the minimum wage that went to the National Assembly then saw an increase from N18,000 to N30,000 though many states are yet to implement it.

    Ngige said, “We entrenched in that bill or law that minimum wage will now have an automaticity of review every five years.

    “So, from 2019 when it came into effect to 2024 will be five years but we also made a recommendation in our document which we submitted that the discussion, the negotiation should start one year from May 2024 when it supposed to kick-start.

    “So, I’m envisaging that as from May 2023, the government will empanel the new minimum wage review committee for the nation.

    “In my handover note which I am going to hand over to the transition committee and the next government, I am recommending that the discussions start anytime from May 2023.”

  • 2023: Labour Party To Implement N80,000-N100,000 Minimum Wage

    2023: Labour Party To Implement N80,000-N100,000 Minimum Wage

    The Labour Party says it would implement a minimum wage of N80,000-N100,000 if the party wins next year’s presidential election.

    A few days ago, the Labour Party unveiled its manifesto after a long wait with its presidential candidate Peter Obi touting the payment of hourly wages as against the current monthly format in the country.

    While speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, the party’s Deputy National Chairman Ayo Olorunfemi said the LP is looking at implementing a new minimum wage of between N80,000-N100,000 as against the N30,000 obtainable presently.

    “It depends on the nature of the job that would be given out. For instance, when you take a cursory look at the manual labourer out there, he does not take less than N2,500-N3,000 per day which is still not okay as far as the reward system is concerned. If you divide N3,000 by six hours, you will be talking about N500 per hour,” he said on the show.

    “So, when you benchmark that against what we have now, certainly, you would be talking of something within the range of N500-N1,000 per hour depending on the nature of work, and at the end of the day, someone can effectively say that he can make up to N4,000 in a day. And when you multiply N4,000 in a day by 20 or 25, we are talking about N80,000 or N100,000 in a month.”

    When asked to further clarify his comment, the LP chieftain maintained that the party is eyeing “N80,000-N100,000” as a new monthly minimum wage, noting that “that is exactly where we are going!”

    As far as he is concerned, the present N30,000 minimum wage does not reflect the realities, saying the Labour Party would pluck holes and exploit new ways to ensure the new wage structure is implemented if the party wins next year’s polls.

    “As a matter of fact, you know the amount of oil in the name of oil theft that has been leaving this country,” Mr Olorufemi added. “We know where these things are coming from. They say there is no money but we know these monies have been stashed in the rooms or toilets of a few persons.”

  • 2023: N100m Nomination form fee with Minimum Wage at N30k is immoral – Falana

    2023: N100m Nomination form fee with Minimum Wage at N30k is immoral – Falana

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has faulted the N100m presidential nomination form fee set by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as “immoral” since the country’s minimum is N30,000.

    Speaking on Channels TV, Falana said it was insensitive and illegal for the ruling party to fix its nomination forms at such an outrageous amount. Last week, APC fixed the price for its presidential nomination forms at N100m while the PDP pegged its presidential form fee at N40m.

    “Those outrageous nomination fees are immoral, insensitive, and illegal. Again, section 42 of the Nigerian constitution provides that nobody shall be subjected to any restriction or discrimination on the basis of class, fortune, sex, or whatever,” the constitutional lawyer added.

    If these parties are saying they want to exclude unserious people, that if you cannot mobilise N100 million or N40 million, you cannot attain some positions in your country, that is discriminatory and illegal.

    No restriction can be erected to prevent you from participating in the politics of the country. You are now saying that the politics of the country is for moneybags or fat cats. That is against the spirit and the letters of the constitution.

    The immorality of it is that we have over 90 million Nigerians that have been classified poor. In a country where the minimum wage is about N30,000 and it is not paid by some states, you can’t say you are collecting N100 million or N40 million to purchase a form.”

  • Gov. Bello Approbes N30,000 minimum wage for Kogi workers

    Gov. Bello Approbes N30,000 minimum wage for Kogi workers

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Tuesday approved immediate Implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage for the state workers.

    Governor Yahaya Bello who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja announced this on Tuesday in Lokoja during a meeting with the leadership of the organized labour in the state.

    The Governor who approved the new minimum wage following a successful negotiations with the organised kabour said the welfare of civil servants remains the priority of his administration.

    According to an agreement jointly signed by government and the labour, the new minimum wage
    will be fully implemented for Grade Levels 01 to 06, while the percentage of the consequential adjustment for Grade Levels 07 to 17 will be partially implemented pending the time the economy of the State improves.

    The details are for GL 07: 19.99 per cent out of 23.2 per cent, ; GL 08: 15.54 per cent out of 20 per cent; GL 09: 13.26 per cent out of 19 per cent ; GL 10: 11.32 per cent out of 16 per cent; GL 12: 9.83 per cent out of 16 per cent ; GL 13: 8.82 per cent out of 16 per cent; GL 14: 7.99 per cent out of 16 per cent; GL 15: 5.82 per cent out of 14 per cent; GL 16: 4.71 per cent out of 14 per cent ; GL 17: 2.47 per cent out of 14 per cent .

    ” It was equally agreed upon that the implementation takes effect immediately.

    “That on the issues of cash backing for all promotions, payment of leave bonuses and annual increments, it was also agreed that the government will compute the financial implications in order to work out modalities for implementation,” both government and NLC said.

    Bello, however, said the state government has maintained up-to-date prompt payment of salaries to its workers and thanked labour for their show of patriotism.

    He reiterated government’s determination to ensure rapid development of the state, sustain peaceful coexistence and ensure the welfare of the people of Kogi State.

    Earlier, the state Chairman of the Implementation committee and Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade said it was a fruitful deliberation with Labour in spite of initial setbacks.

    In his reaction, the state Chairman NLC, Comrade Onu Edoka said that the approval of the new minimum wage will add value to the life of workers.

    Edoka commended Governor Bello , Head of Service and the Secretary to the State Government for their efforts.

    In her remarks, the Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Odiyo commended Governor Yahaya Bello for approving the implementation of the N30,000 , calling on workers to reciprocate by being more committed and dedicated to duty.

  • PASAN Protest Non-Implementation of Minimum Wage

    PASAN Protest Non-Implementation of Minimum Wage

    Staff working in the National Assembly, operating under the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), on Monday, embarked on a protest over the non-implementation of minimum wage.

    Reports gathered that the workers converged on the lobby of the white house of the National Assembly with placards condemning the action of the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) for breaching the memorandum of understanding (MoU) entered into in 2021.

    A copy of the resolutions to embark on protest dated 6th January 2022 and addressed to the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) which was sighted by DAILY POST, showed that the association raised six fundamental breaches by the NASS management that triggered the protest.

    The resolution, which was signed by the association’s Chairman, Comrade Sunday Sabiyi, and the Vice-Chairman, Comrade M.A. Liman, accused the NASC and NASS of deliberate contempt of their MoU which was agreed on 14th April 2021 stating that “there would be full implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, and the Revised Condition of Service.”

    Part of the resolutions read: “Following the Management’s breach of the Memorandum of Understanding entered with PASAN on the 13th April 2021, on the full implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, and the Revised Condition of Service, Congress hereby observes put the management on protest notice.”

  • Gov. Bello Sets To Implement 30,000 New Minimum Wage In Kogi

    Gov. Bello Sets To Implement 30,000 New Minimum Wage In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Kogi State Head of Service (HOS) Mrs. Hannah Onyinoyi Odiyo on Wednesday in Lokoja re-stated government’s commitment to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state.

    Mrs. Odiyo disclosed this while declaring open a day Workshop organised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, (ASCSN) Kogi state Chapter, for its members in Lokoja.

    She reemphasized the State Government resolve to sustain enhanced welfare packages for civil servants in the state to enhance their productivity, maintaining that re-training of staff will also continue to receive priority attention.

    The HOS promised that Government will sustain regular payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements currently being enjoyed by its workers to better their living conditions.

    She disclosed that government had equally embarked on motivation of workers through empowering them on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to meet up with the modern reality in the discharge of their duties.

    “As Civil Servants, you must strive to complement government’s efforts by keying into investments that will better your living as well as plan for your retirement in future” she advised.

    Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Kogi Branch of the Association, (ASCSN), Comrade Akeji Aron called for the quick implementation of the new minimum wage by the state government saying that none-implememtation of the policy was long overdue under the prevailing economic woes in Nigeria.

    The Chairman also called on the state government to jettison the rumoured implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Kogi Health Insurance Scheme and give attention to the payment of arrears of benefits of civil servants in the state.

    In the two papers delivered by the Director of Finance & Administration at Kogi State House of Assembly, Enimola Martins, titled: tittles “Preparing For Retirement: Challenges and Solutions,” identified proper investments as a major tool to have a better and enjoyable retirement life.

    The Guest Lecturer enumerated some areas for lucrative business for the retirees to include; Garri grinding machine services, Kerosine retail sales, Pure water packaging, Rental services, Sales of seasoned food stuff, Vegitable garden, Fruit planting, Supper Market, Barbing saloon as well as Tye and Dye businesses.

    Martins also maintained that investment in Human Resources constituted an essential basis for nation building and a major ingredient for achieving progress towards the welfare of citizenry.