The 36 State Governors of the Federation have not taken a definite stand on the issue of national minimum wage for which Nigerian workers have threatened a mother of all protests, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said yesterday.
The governor stressed that the issue at stake was complex, saying it was a constitutional matter which certainly required the input of the National Assembly.
“The issue of minimum wage is a constitutional matter which no state government can decide on its implementation or otherwise. And so far, the Nigeria Governors Forum has not taken any collective decision on the issue of minimum wage”, Tambuwal disclosed.
A statement by his spokesperson, Imam Imam, said Gov. Tambuwal made the disclosure when he received the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba.
While insisting that NGF is not against the welfare and interest of their respective states workforce, he noted that workers in any state, are viable partners in progress in the business of nation building.
“States have only minimal say on the issue of minimum wage because it is a constitutional matter. Any change desired for the present minimum wage will have to come through a constitutional amendment to be performed by the National Assembly.
“We must correct the impression that Governors are against workers. That is not the case. We are partners in progress and our roles are complimentary of each other.
“In Sokoto specifically, we are evolving various policies to better the lots of our workers and improve on their productivity. They are important allies and we hold them in high esteem”, Tambuwal stated.
Earlier, the NLC President, Comrade Wabba, noted that Tambuwal played commendable role during his tenure as Speaker of the 7th National Assembly.
