The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Thursday paid a special visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stine Industries Ltd in Anambra State, Chief Akai Egwuonwu to commend him as the first in the private sector to pay minimum wage of N70,000 to his workers.
The Controller of the Federal Ministry in Anambra State, Mrs Benedene Oji-Ogbuehi led a 4-man delegation to commend Chief Egwuonwu for the achievement.
The delegation presented a letter of commendation to Egwuonwu in his Awka office.
Oji-Ogbuehi said the recognition and commendation were in appreciation of the industrialist’s efforts to improve the welfare of his workers and to encourage others in the private sector to do the same.
She disclosed that one of the ministry’s concerns was to ensure compliance to the minimum wage policy, adding that what Chief Egwuonwu did was worthy of commendation. She said that the industrialist had taken the lead for others in the private sector to follow in Anambra State and other parts of the country.
“The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Anambra commends you for being the first in the private sector to implement the National Minimum Wage for your workers, despite the economic situation of Nigeria, ”the letter read in part.
She noted that the Industrialist had shown love for humanity by considering the welfare of his workers apart from carrying out the minimum wage policy which many employers of labour are yet to consider.
Responding, Egwuonwu said it had become necessary to increase the wage of the workers as a result of the increasing cost of living across Nigeria .
“N70,000 is not even enough to meet the basic needs of the average worker in the current economy. Business owners should try to have an upward review of their workers’ salary.
The industrialist called on the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for business operators to thrive.
“A plate of food at local eateries is N1,500 and a bag of rice is N92,000 and above. Welfare of the workers must be prioritized. I think the minimum wage should be N150,000 per month for the workers to survive.
“To do business in Nigeria today is not easy. We are asking the government to provide enabling environment for us. We need cheap factors of production including energy, good roads, cheaper transportation as well as tax holidays.
