Shehu Sani advises Buhari on payment of new minimum wage

Shehu Sani, Senator representing Kaduna Central, on Tuesday urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to fulfil its promise of implementing the new National Minimum Wage for workers by the third quarter of 2018.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Sani said if the promise was made in the interest of the workers, it has to be implemented.

The lawmaker added that if it was made as a political statement, there would certainly be a repercussion.

According to Sani, the implementation of the National Minimum Wage was long overdue as workers are faced with various challenges and hardships.

He said, “The honour of the government and the integrity is to keep to that promise and that pledge, if not it is going to affect the relationship between workers and the government.

“I do not think Nigerian workers are doing well, if you look at the reality of life today, the economic situation and compare it to the minimum wage.

“It means what they are earning, there is nothing to write home about as they have bills to settle, school fees for the children, house rents, among others.

“If you put all these into perspectives, you will see that the minimum wage is no more a minimum wage, because it cannot even take care of their basic necessities.

“So, as representatives of the people, we have both the constitutional, political, moral responsibility to advance, defend and protect the course of worker’s demand.”