President Bola Tinubu has been urged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to ensure that any new minimum wage bill for Nigerian workers aligns with Nigeria’s international commitments to support workers’ rights to a decent living wage.
In his Democracy Day Speech on June 12, the president announced plans to send an executive bill to the National Assembly to establish the new minimum wage for the next five years or a shorter period.
In a letter dated June 15, 2024, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization expressed concerns that the proposed minimum wage level in the executive bill is insufficient and does not meet the standards set by international human rights agreements that Nigeria is part of.
SERAP emphasized that the executive bill should meet international benchmarks, ensuring that Nigerian workers receive at least a living wage that considers the cost of living.
The letter stated, “Any minimum wage proposal that does not ensure a dignified life for Nigerian workers and their families would contradict international standards.”
“Over the years, governments have consistently failed to uphold these standards, leading to millions of Nigerian workers living in poverty due to low wages and lack of social security and protection.
“Should your government present a bill to the National Assembly that does not meet international standards, and if the bill becomes law, SERAP will take legal action to enforce compliance in the public interest.
“These proposals are not unrealistic, as they are based on Nigeria’s international human rights commitments. Human rights are not a matter of generosity. Upholding Nigeria’s international obligations on workers’ rights to a decent living wage will help alleviate poverty among workers by maintaining their purchasing power.”