NYSC Warns Corps Members Against Protesting Over Delayed Minimum Wage 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) issued a warning to corps members last week against participating in any protests over the delayed implementation of the new minimum wage.

In a statement released by the NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, the NYSC said it was still waiting for the government’s official decision regarding the newly-increased wage.

Megwa urged corps members not to allow anyone influence them into protesting against the minimum wage implementation as it would be in violation of their oath and the provisions of the NYSC Bye Laws.

“The scheme will not hesitate to invoke the content of the NYSC Act and bye law on any Corps Member that takes law into his hands,” Megwa warned.

He described the misleading information being spread about the scheme as a matter of grave concern for the NYSC. He said the perpetrators of such misinformation would be dealt with.

Corps Members Wait For Minimum Wage Implementation

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill of N70,000 on July 29, corps members were expectant that the new minimum wage would be reflected in their July allowance. However, their expectations were cut short as they received the usual N33,000 allowance which the scheme has been paying corps members since January 2020.

The NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen Yusha’u Ahmed during his visit to Ogun State NYSC orientation camp early July, said it is expected that corps members would benefit from the approved minimum wage.

Last month, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio made it clear that Nigerian employers can not pay their workers below the minimum wage.

He said, “If you’re a tailor and you employ additional hands, you can’t pay the person below 70,000. If you have a housemaid, you cannot pay them below 70,000. If you hire a driver or a gateman, you cannot pay them below 70,000.”

On the other hand, Tinubu recently signed into law a bill increasing salaries, allowances, and severance benefits for the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) and other judicial officers by 300 per cent. The new bill will see the CJN receive about 5.3 million monthly, totaling N64 million a year. The President of the Court of Appeal will earn N62.4 million annually, while the Supreme Court judges will earn N61.4 million yearly.

Former President Mohammadu Buhari signed the N30,000 minimum wage bill in April 2019, but it took eight months before the minimum wage was implemented in the NYSC scheme in January 2020. Corps members would be hoping the minimum wage implementation is not delayed this time amid the rising cost of living in the country.

Read More: Judiciary Promotions in Nigeria are Often Influenced by Politics – Judge Says

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Emmanuel Ejiofor

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