THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE ON THE MOTIVATION OF WORKERS IN THE FEDERAL INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC), IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The national minimum wage policy mandated employers to pay employees wages commensurate to their labour but, the wages paid to workers may not have caused them to be satisfied with their job as the national minimum wage may have failed to cater for the basic needs of workers judging from the current economic situation in Nigeria. Thus, this study investigated the extent to which the national minimum wage has affected motivation in Federal civil Service in Imo State. The study anchored on the dual-factor theory of Frederick Herzberg which explained the inability of the national minimum wage to motivate workers. The study adopted a qualitative research design because it enables the researcher to rely on qualitative method of data collection technique as well as the qualitative method of data analysis. Data was derived through interview and secondary sources like; the use of journals, textbooks and internet materials. The interviewees comprised of 20 staff; 10 males and 10 females who were randomly selected for the in-depth interview. Data derived for this study was however analysed using a thematic method of data analysis. The study found out that, though the current national minimum wage is greater than the previous minimum wage, it has failed to cater for the needs of workers. Therefore, workers are not satisfied or motivated by the minimum wage. It was further reviewed that, workers engage in unethical and corrupt practises to generate money and attend to their financial needs. Based on these findings, the study recommends that, there is need for an upward review of the national minimum wage in line with the current state of the Nigerian economy. It was also recommended that the Nigerian government should formulate and implement policies that will revive the Nigerian economy.