A forthcoming legislation on the minimum wage is anticipated to be presented to the National Assembly, as stated by Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress, during a recent announcement. He reassured that despite the consultations being conducted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, discussions with stakeholders are ongoing on the labor front.
It is anticipated by Labor that the proposed minimum wage to be submitted to the National Assembly will specifically address the needs of the most economically disadvantaged individuals. Osifo emphasized the necessity of promptly submitting this bill, maintaining the stance that a minimum wage benchmark of N250,000 is the most appropriate.
Labor has engaged in further dialogue with the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and other governmental representatives to reach a consensus on an acceptable minimum wage.
During the inaugural Annual Convention of the Women Commission of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Abuja, Osifo shared these insights. The convention’s theme, “The dynamic woman: navigating challenges in a constantly evolving world,”underscored the importance of adapting to changing circumstances.
Following the completion of negotiations by the Tripartite Committee and the submission of the report on June 10, progress on establishing a new national minimum wage seemed to have stalled. President Tinubu had indicated the need for consultations with stakeholders before formally presenting the executive bill to the National Assembly.
Osifo emphasized that internal preparations are currently underway before the bill is submitted for consideration. He reiterated that the negotiations for the new minimum wage are ongoing and cannot be disregarded.
Addressing the issue of fuel scarcity, Osifo highlighted the necessity of resolving logistical challenges that impede transportation efficiency. He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to enhance oil and gas logistics, advocating for the improvement of pipelines and oil depots to prevent recurrent challenges in the industry.
Ada Mbanaso, National Chairperson of the PENGASSAN Women Commission, highlighted the commission’s commitment to advocacy and empowerment initiatives. These include projects such as ‘Back-to-School’ initiatives, support for orphanages and elderly care homes, empowerment programs for widows and small-scale entrepreneurs, and campaigns promoting menstrual hygiene and mental health awareness. Mbanaso expressed the commission’s dedication to promoting gender equality, fostering leadership roles for women, and addressing emerging challenges faced by women in the industry.
