By Linet Maina
ENUGU, JUNE 15, 2024 (CISA) – Outspoken Catholic Priest Fr Ejike Mbaka, founder of the Adoration Ministries in Enugu has urged the Federal Government to address the sensitive issue of the minimum wage, emphasizing the potential for crisis if not handled prudently.
The popular clergy’s comments come amidst an ongoing discussion between the government and labour unions regarding the proposed new minimum wage. While the government suggests N62,000, labour unions are adamant and are demanding N250,000.
By definition, minimum wage refers to the lowest remuneration that employers are legally required to pay their employees. It is set by government regulations or through collective bargaining agreements, and it aims to ensure that workers receive fair and just compensation for their labour, based on the cost of living and prevailing economic conditions. Minimum wage laws are intended to prevent exploitation and provide workers with a basic standard of living.
In an interview with journalists on June 8, Mbaka criticized the stark contrast between the allowances granted to legislators and the prevailing hardships faced by Nigerians.
“If a family that has five is paid this miniature salary, how will this family survive? As they pay for school fees, transport themselves to work, and take care of themselves in the hospital, how will a family survive? Who will survive? People are dying silently,” he posed.
He proposed that senators, governors, and members of the House of Representatives should also be subject to the proposed N62,000 national minimum wage. He questioned the disparity, highlighting various allowances such as sitting, wardrobe, newspaper, and suffering allowances, which he deemed excessive.
“They are all civil servants, so are the others slaves? I can’t understand why they are amazing billions as sitting allowance, wardrobe allowance, newspaper allowance, and suffering allowance,” stated Fr Mbaka, adding “ The people that should have such allowances are those suffering in the village.”
Expressing concern, Mbaka emphasized the need for fairness, questioning the salaries of essential workers like teachers, nurses, and doctors, as well as the remuneration of civil servants who toil tirelessly on a daily. He called for a realistic assessment of the prevailing inflation rate, urging sincerity in addressing wage issues.
Mbaka cautioned the government against overlooking the potential ramifications of mishandling the minimum wage situation, stressing the importance of addressing it promptly and with care to prevent further unrest. He also warned of potential hijacking of the issue and emphasized the importance of considering the broader ripple effects.
“I’m pleading with the government that a stitch in time saves nine; this situation must be handled with care because it might be hijacked and nobody knows the ripple effect,” he cautioned.
