The out-going Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has agreed to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage while the governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday revealed that the state cannot pay the new national minimum wage of N30,000 just signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Makinde, he intends to negotiate with the Oyo state branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) because the state cannot afford to pay 30,000 minimum wage to workers.
Makinde added that the federal governments should have allowed states to negotiate the new minimum wage for their workers as the condition of living varies from state to state.
Makinde who stated this in Abuja after attending the induction programme for returning and newly elected governors maintained that he intends to negotiate with the Oyo state branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) because the state could not afford to pay the amount.
He said the federal government lacks the power to impose a national minimum wage of states since Nigeria is a federation.
Meanwhile, as Nigerian workers celebrate workers day on Wednesday, May 1 immediate payment of the new minimum wage has been demanded by the workers.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, and the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Bala Kaigama, jointly read the address to the workers at the May Day celebration held at the Eagles Square, Abuja.
It was gathered that the union leaders, who appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for accepting the workers’ demand, said there was no better May Day gift as the N30,000 minimum wage.
