The Sociological Dimensions of Minimum Wage in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

Minimum wage for employees is important for the progress of any organisation. Therefore it is significant for employers of labour to make employees happy by providing them with sustainable wages, welfare packages and other incentives which are not always given. It is therefore not unusual to see labour unrest as a result of complains of poor welfare provisions and services to the workers. The objective of this paper is to examine the historical antecedent of minimum wage and the challenges of minimum wage in Nigeria. The theory of Capitalist Economy was adopted to dissect issues surrounding minimum wage in Nigeria. From the assessment of the literature, the study found that inadequate funds, poor leadership and lack of political will were the major reasons for not fully implementing the minimum wage policy in Nigeria. The study recommends that the government should take the issue of wages and salary administration serious by giving workers a living wage to enable them take care of their basic needs and be better positioned for enhanced productivity and output level in civil service.