Party Accuses Bauchi Govt of Violating Minimum Wage Act

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Chapter of People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has accused the Bauchi State government of violating the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, saying that it is giving the government a seven days ultimatum to send a supplementary appropriation to the State House of Assembly.

This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by the party State Chairman, Ahmed Umar Farouk and the State Secretary, Kala Ibrahim.

According to the release, Governor Bala Mohammed recently signed into law the 2022 Bauchi State Appropriation Act, but did not synchronize it with the requirement of the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019.

The party said that section 3(1) of the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 mandated all employees of labour, including all state governments to pay a minimum of N30,000 per month to every employer under its establishment, pointing out that the Bauchi State government has not complied with the requirement nor implemented it as required by the Act.

“It will interest you to know that Bauchi State has been running it’s budget since the coming into force of this Act without any appropriation for the minimum wage requirement.This is total illegal, null and void. One wonders where the labour leaders are, that pride themselves as the protectors of Nigerian workers. We view their silence as compromise and charge them to wake up to their responsibility before it is too late to cry.”

“If the attitude of the union leaders looks more of a compromise, that of the State Legislators who symbolize the difference between democracy and military rule, is the least despicable.”

These are gentleman supposedly who are not only closer to the grassroots, but who are the custodian of the constitution. Section 4(6) of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended vested on them the power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance, yet they have woefully failed to make law that is for the advantage of civil servants,” the party said.

The party called on political parties, civil organisations, religious leaders and the media to join the party to ensure that justice is done and correct the anomaly.