The senator representing Bayelsa-East senatorial district, Ben Murray-Bruce, says over N18, 000 is spent on the upkeep of dogs in the various government houses across the country.
He, therefore, stated that it was wicked for governors to advocate for a reduction of the N18, 000 minimum wage.
Murray-Bruce said it made no sense for a National Youth Service Corps member to receive about N20, 000 a month while civil servants, including family men, were denied of the N18, 000 minimum wage.
He said with the high rate of inflation in the country, it would make no sense to reduce wages.
He tweeted, “I know for the fact that even dogs at Government House cost more than N18,000 to take care of in a month. How much more a human being?
“It is unjust for a government to contemplate reducing workers’ pay of N18,000. What can that amount buy in today’s Nigeria?
“A worker with a family earns less than a member of the NYSC who earns 19,800. Reducing his pay is unconscionable. A man earning N18,000 struggles to pay rent, feed his family and pay school fees. To reduce his pay is to punish his family.
“In the last four years, the cost of food and fuel has gone up. Can we, in good faith, make a case for the reduction of workers’ pay?”
The senator said that reducing the minimum wage would increase the rate of corruption as workers would indulge in sharp practices to augment their income.
He said it was hypocritical of governors to spend over N18, 000 per meal and ask civil servants to receive less than N18,000 a month.
He added, “If the government doesn’t pay workers well, it invites workers to steal. To end corruption, we must pay workers well.
“You cannot be spending more than N18,000 per meal and claim that the man who earns N18,000 per month is overpaid.”
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