Confab Rejects Minimum Wage Increase from N18,000 To N40,000

The National Conference on Thursday in Abuja adopted the amended report of
its Public Service Committee presented to the plenary on Tuesday by its
Chairman, Mrs Ebele Okeke.
The conference also rejected an amended recommendation for an upward
review of the National Minimum Wage from N18,000 to at least N40,000.
The conference also banned government-funded ministries, departments and
agencies from collecting application fees from graduates seeking
employment into such establishments.
Furthermore, it accepted the proposal for the setting up of recruitment
centres in the states. After taking into cognisance the unfortunate
stampede during the Immigration recruitment exercise.
The conference adopted a motion which called for the amendment of the
Federal Character Commission (FCC) to be called “Federal Character and
Equal Opportunities Commission” and its extension to states.
The acceptance of the proposal, which generated serious opposition from
some delegates, came after a sponsored motion by 33 delegates, which was
read on their behalf by Dr Nurudeen Lemu.
“This motion seeks an amendment to the recommendation of the Conference
Committee on Public Service proposal to retain Federal Character
Commission and its extension to states.
“We are recommending that the commission be upgraded to address issues of
equity and equal opportunities in order to take care of other key sectors
and groups in the society.
“That the law establishing the commission be reviewed to reflect the above
proposal and thereby renamed as Federal Character and Equal Opportunities
Commission.
“This will enable the commission to affirm the issue of affirmatives
action for the people living with disabilities and other vulnerable
groups.
“It will also address issues relating to ethnic, religion, minority,
women, youths and other sections of the society that are often excluded,’’
the motion stated.
The conference also called on the National Assembly to domesticate the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention.
It was agreed that government at all levels should add allowances
equivalent to Salary Grade Level 06 to the pay of each of the Persons
Living with Disabilities.
This, the committee said, would enable them employ aides.
The conference also adopted the committee’s recommendation that government
at all levels should make public offices disabilities-friendly by
providing special access facilities in line with international charters
and treaties.
The committee’s suggestion that no political appointee at all levels be
employed as special advisers, special assistants, and personal assistants
henceforth was adopted.
Instead it was agreed that, as a cost-saving measure, such political
office-holder should utilise staff of ministries where it becomes
necessary.
The committee said this should be applied as it is contained in Circular
Reference Number B63883/73 of Jan. 3, 2000.
Following the adoption of the committee’s report, the conference commenced
debate on the report of Committee on Science, Technology and
Development.(NAN)