By Seyi Babalola
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has stated that organized labour must compel compliance with minimum wage payments by state governments in light of certain states’ incapacity to pay.
Akume made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja, following the conclusion of a two-day pre-retirement seminar hosted by XEM Consulting Ltd.
The SGF, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, encouraged organized labor not to rely on the government to execute the law.
“So, as we are discussing paying a pension, I will also throw it back to labour; you have the duty to enforce the compliance of these laws; it is not just the question of complaining.
“You should be able to come in; ensure the compliance of these laws by the relevant stakeholders,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government could come up with a policy and issue circulars, adding that the onus lies on those who are monitoring the implementation to ensure that lack of compliance is sanctioned.
Akume said that whether it is minimum wage or pension, the best law that could be made is the law that can be enforced.
The SGF said that the Federal Government has initiated a lot of reform programmes that will lift people out of poverty in the near future, but Nigerians should be patient while they materialise.
