Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has asserted that both federal and state governments in Nigeria can afford to pay the minimum wage if looted funds are recovered.
Falana made this statement during an interview with Channels Television, which was monitored by DAILY POST.
Falana emphasized that the funds required to meet the minimum wage demands are available, but political will is necessary to retrieve them. He stated, “The state governments that are saying they have no money to pay, the money is there. All they need, including the Federal Government, is to muster the political will to collect and recover money either looted or withheld from the Federation Account.”
This comment comes amid ongoing negotiations between the organized labour and the Federal Government regarding the new minimum wage. The labour unions have rejected the government’s offer of N62,000. During the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage held in Abuja, labour reduced its demand from N494,000 to N250,000, while the Federal Government slightly increased its offer from N60,000 to N62,000.
The final decision on the proposed minimum wage may be delayed until July 2nd due to the National Assembly being on holiday. Falana urged both federal and state governments to demonstrate the necessary political will to address the minimum wage issue effectively.
