By Yusuf Olukokun
Orji Uzor Kalu, Senate Chief Whip and a Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, during Senate Tuesday’s Plenary proposed N90,000 as the new minimum wage.
The Senator made this known at the floor of the red chamber that his proposal was aimed toward addressing the chaotic disagreement Federal government and twin unions (Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress).
Tuesday, June 4 2024, Plenary session on the floor of the Senate was centered around the nationwide strike embarked upon by Labour Union, LP; and Trade Union Congress, TUC; purposefully to signal to the Federal government about their dissatisfaction on the current minimum wage of N30,000.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu explained his N90,000 proposal, he said, “N60,000 might sound very good let the entire Senate see how we can persuade both Labour and the Federal government to agree between N75, 000 to N90, 000 naira.
“If you go by 90,000 naira , it means in the last five years in which this law (30,000naira) was made , it means if you divide 200 percent of N90,000 by 5 it will give you 40 and the food inflation, the purchasing parity and other things you have in the market its also around 32 to 33% so Labour should be very happy with what We are doing.
“Let us send a Senate delegation to the Federal Government and the Labour Party with the proposal of 90,000 naira and all the parties should agree to that.
“Pulling down the National Grid Mr. President is not an easy job and it might take up to three to four days for it to come up , shutting down and starting a National grid is a problem.
“The Federal Government and the Labour should be cautioned to come to an agreement. Though it’s going to be difficult for the private sector to pay, they must manage.”