Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, Buhari reiterated his commitment to paying the new minimum wage.
He said the committee would recommend “modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage in such a manner as to minimise its inflationary impact, as well as ensure that its introduction does not lead to job losses”.
“The work of this Technical Committee will be the basis of a Finance Bill which will be submitted to the National Assembly, alongside the Minimum Wage Bill.
“I want to make it clear that there is no question about whether the National Minimum Wage will be reviewed upwards. I am committed to a review of the Minimum Wage.
“Also, it is important to explain that even though the subject of a National Minimum Wage is in the Exclusive Legislative List, we have been meeting with the State Governors because it is imperative that the Federal Government carries the State Governments along in determining any upward review of the minimum wage for workers.
“This is especially necessary considering the prevailing public sector revenue challenges, which have made it extremely difficult for some of the governors to pay workers as and when due,” he added.
The committee, which is made up of experienced economists and administrators, is headed by an economist, Mr. Bismark Rewane.
The committee, according to Buhari, will develop, and advise government on how to successfully bring about the smooth implementation of impending wage increases; identify new revenue sources, as well as areas of existing expenditure from where some savings could be made in order to fund the wage increases without adversely impacting the nation’s development goals as set out in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan
He noted that the committee will propose a work plan and the modalities for the implementation of the salary increases and any other suggestions that will assist in the implementation of this, and future wage increases in the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and some members of the Civil Society Organisations had on Tuesday staged a protest in various states across the country over the delay in transmitting the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly by the Presidency.