I am yet to understand the point of minimum wage legislation, especially as it applies to the private sector. Is the government trying to tell the private sector employers to retrench in order to be able to meet up? Or to push employees to the exempted regions such as part-time status?
Minimum wage without reference to productivity? I know many employees are grossly underpaid. I also know that some do not produce up to N30,000 a month.
Some applicants, even university graduates, are willing to work for N20,000 a month instead of sitting idle at home, and standing greater risk of being lured to crime in addition to gaining zero relevant experience. Whereas some turn down offers for amounts as high as N1m a month. The difference is in the capacity to produce, and some luck.
Since everyone has the ability to acquire capacity, is it not better for the society at large to allow everyone aspire to the level he or she desires? Don’t be surprised to hear some people say they don’t mind low pay provided they are permitted to lazy around.
