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Tag: minimum wage

  • Ebonyi govt announces minimum wage increase for workers

    Ebonyi govt announces minimum wage increase for workers

    The Ebonyi Government has announced an increase in the minimum wage of civil servants from N70,000 to N90,000.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe, made the disclosure on Thursday, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting.

    Omebe said that the increament was to enhance workers’ welfare, adding that the implementation was with immediate effect and covered all categories of the workforce.

    “We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement as this government does not toy with workers’ welfare.

    “The government has offset the pension and gratuities of state retirees from its creation in 1996 to date.

    “The verification process for retirees in the Local Government Areas had commenced and when completed, the payment will be made,” he said.

    He also said that if the government did not play politics with such huge financial obligations, it will not do so with additional N20,000 to workers.

    “The governor is a leader, builder of capacity, human beings and infrastructure.

    “The government is anchored on the biblical people’s charter of needs mantra, which is leading the people according to their needs,” the commissioner said.

    Omebe disclosed that the EXCO also considered the implementation of the eighth-year tenure policy for directors and immediate retirement of those who have served for the period on the same cadre.T

    “The EXCO exhaustively deliberated on the issue and approved its implementation for the affected permanent secretaries and directors,” he said.

  • Gov Uzodimma increases minimum wage for Imo workers

    Gov Uzodimma increases minimum wage for Imo workers

    Imo State governor Hope Uzodimma has approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the governor made the announcement during a meeting with labour union leaders on Tuesday night at the Government House, Owerri where he disclosed that wage adjustment raises the minimum salary for workers from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000.

    Other categories of workers also received upward reviews:

    • Doctors’ minimum pay rose from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000.
    • Teachers in tertiary institutions had their salaries increased from ₦119,000 to ₦222,000.

    Uzodimma said the decision was informed by the need to ease the economic hardship confronting workers.

    “When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” he said.

    The governor stressed some of  the challenges faced since his administration assumed office in 2020, ranging from insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, subsidy removal, and disputes over wages.

    “We tried as a government to always put it behind our mind that there is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour,” Uzodimma stated.

    He added that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had increased from ₦400 million to over ₦3 billion per month, while allocations from the Federation Account grew from ₦5-₦7 billion in 2020 to about ₦14 billion.

    Uzodimma also disclosed that the state debt profile had reduced from ₦280 billion in 2020 to less than ₦100 billion.

    The governor acknowledged the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal but insisted the policy had long-term benefits.

    “It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy. What government is confronted with now is how to ensure that the dividends of that policy trickle down to the common man on the street,” he said.

    Governor Uzodinma emphasized that ensuring transparency in resource allocation is crucial for sustaining reforms.

    He also announced that the state government will begin disbursing the final batch of gratuities owed to pensioners, totaling ₦16 billion, on August 27.

    Furthermore, he mentioned that his administration has introduced a health insurance scheme, improved health facilities, and has aligned with the Federal Government’s initiative to establish 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.

    The governor urged labour unions to foster unity with government and charged workers to avoid unethical practices and redundancy.

    The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, described the wage increase as a major win for Imo workers.

    “Today, no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair to us. You rescued us from economic challenges and placed Imo among the highest-paying states in Nigeria,” he said.

  • FG begins paying ex-corps members minimum wage arrears

    FG begins paying ex-corps members minimum wage arrears

    The Federal Government has commenced the payment of N44,000 minimum wage arrears to former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    The commencement of the payment fulfills an earlier promise tied to the recent upward review of corps members’ monthly allowance from N33, 000 to N77, 000.

    The payment applies to those who completed their service before the new allowance took effect earlier this year.

    Former corps members have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm receipt of the payment, expressing their gratitude and relief.

    One user, @Kingpin_black1, posted: ”Thank you NYSC. Thank you President Tinubu. Nigeria will be great again.”

    Another user @pharmacist_shezzy shared: ”44k don land. NYSC no carry last. God bless Nigeria .”

    Similarly, @ifeoluwa_X wrote: ”Just got my alert. I almost deleted my NYSC account. Thank you FG.”

    The payment, widely seen as a fulfillment of the government’s earlier pledge, has sparked excitement online, with many praising the move as a sign of renewed trust and accountability.

  • Minimum wage: Abia workers yet to enjoy – Organised Labour

    Minimum wage: Abia workers yet to enjoy – Organised Labour

    The Organised Labour in Abia has appealed to Gov. Alex Otti, to ensure the implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000, for some categories of workers in the state.

    The Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC), made this appeal on the occasion of 2025 May-Day celebration on Thursday in Umuahia.

    The state NLC Chairman, Mr Ogbonnaya Okoro, delivered the joint address prepared by him and his TUC counterpart, Mr Ihechi Enogwe.

    Okoro listed the people affected to include environmental health officers, health workers in the ministries and Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.

    According to him, also affected are veterinary officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and local government areas, Ministry of Social and Women Affairs and Secondary Education Management Board.

    Okoro said that the Organised Labour would not be able to guarantee industrial peace in those sectors, for anything short of the minimum wage implementation.

    He expressed deep appreciation to the governor for the successful negotiation and implementation of the new minimum wage for the state and local government workers.

    The NLC chairman further thanked the governor for his outstanding work since he assumed office, especially in infrastructural development, education and agriculture.

    He further called the attention of the governor to the outstanding arrears of the minimum wage and its consequential adjustment.

    Okoro commended the governor for rolling out the contributory pension scheme for the state workers.

    He, however, urged the state government to complement the contributory pension scheme by contributing its own percentage.

    Okoro decried the arbitrary and high taxation on salaries of workers, while urging the governor’s intervention on what he described as “economic evil imposed on Abia workers.”

    Responding, the governor said he had paid careful attention to all the requests, and assured that they would be painstakingly considered.

    Otti said that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state, to appreciate them for their contributions to the economy.

    He assured the workers of prompt and regular payment of their salaries, which usually comes on or before 28th of every months.

    Otti said that his administration had since assumption of office in 2023, defrayed over N30 billion salary arrears owed workers by his predecessor.

    He said that the government would continue to engage and interact with workers in building a new Abia.

    In an interview, Chief Chiemela Iroha, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees, Abia chapter, expressed satisfaction with this year’s May-Day celebration, but said there was still work to be done.

    “The workforce of Abia has undergone some rigours, torture and neglect, but this is the first time we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

    The theme of this year’s May-Day is “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship.”

  • NLC frowns over non-implementation of minimum wage by some state governors

    NLC frowns over non-implementation of minimum wage by some state governors

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has frowned over the non implementation of the  new minimum wage and the Consequential Adjustments by some state governors.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this at the 6th National Gender Conference organised by the NLC National Women Commission on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The conference was with the theme,”Accelerate Action for Gender Equality: Imperative for a new NLC Gender Policy,”.

    Ajaero said that the salaries of some workers were currently below the amount they were receiving before the new minimum wage of N70,000 was implemented, as a result of taxes and inflation.

    According to him, this is becoming grossly unbearable because even electricity tariff will take that off the salary. This has exposed us to all sorts of danger.

    “If you want to be a serious worker and go to work for 24 days or 20 days a month, the N70,000 will disappear, that’s a fact today.

    “School fees seem to be rising, transportation is worse, inflation is going high. These are issues that confront us as workers.

    “The issue of implementing a minimum wage is the worst crime I have ever seen.

    “In some states, you just notice N5,000 on top of your salary. So what is the essence of consequential adjustment.

    “At the NLC level, we have negotiated for N70,000. At the level of consequential adjustment, the NLC was not contacted.

    “So I wonder why workers should be short changed, I do not understand,” he said.

    He added that workers in the Federal Civil Service were yet to take their complaints on the short change of salary payments to the leadership of the NLC.
    “So many people are lamenting in their closets about how they implemented the minimum wage,” he said.

    Mrs Salamatu Aliu, Chairperson of NLC’s Women’s Commission said women in Nigeria and indeed around the world were still being subjected to discrimination, abuse, harassment in their places of work and society.

    Aliu represented by Mrs Deborah Yusuf, Deputy Chairperson in the commission, said that women were being relegated to lower-status and lower-paid jobs and under-represented in leadership and decision-making processes and bodies.

    “The NLC has deliberately taken progressive steps in promoting the leadership role of women in various spheres.

    “These are part of the strategies for recognising and promoting the active participation of women in the trade unions as consciously stipulated in the NLC Gender Policy.

    “Currently, the NLC is in the process of updating and finalising the review of the Gender Policy, in line with current gender trend,” she said.

    Mrs Vanessa Phala, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director to Nigeria, said the organisation was committed to promoting the rights of workers in the world of work and to achieving gender equality.

    Phala, represented by Mrs Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, Senior Programme Officer (ILO), said it would support the NLC in promoting and achieving gender equality as part of the sustainable development goals globally.

  • Minimum wage: Abia govt, labour sign agreement to resolve discrepancies

    Minimum wage: Abia govt, labour sign agreement to resolve discrepancies

    Abia State Government and the organised labour, on Friday, signed an agreement to resolve discrepancies in the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.

    In a speech at the brief event held at the Government House, Umuahia, Gov. Alex Otti said the agreement was designed to ensure fair salary adjustments for workers.

    The agreement was signed to correct wage imbalance that had affected workers on Grade Levels 8 to 17, since October when the new wage structure was introduced.

    The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, affirmed the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

    He commended the labour leaders for their patience and dedication throughout the negotiation.

    “We have remained focused on our vision for a better Abia, now that this agreement has been signed, we expect every Abia worker to reciprocate with dedication and productivity,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Ogbonnaya Okoro, described the signing of the  agreement as a welcome development.

    Okoro said that the development means victory for workers and a demonstration of the government’s sincerity.

    “Since Dec. 6, 2024, when the governor met with over 115 labour leaders, he had shown a strong commitment to ensuring that Abia workers received what is rightfully theirs,” he said.

    He confirmed that the state Head of Service (HoS) would soon issue a circular ensuring the proper implementation of the corrected salary structure for all civil servants.

    The event was attended by the HoS, Mr Benson Ojiekere, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Uwaoma Ukandu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma.

    Others include the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Relations, Mr Godson Anucha, and the Chairman of  Trade Union Congress in Abia, Mr Ihechi Enogwe, among others.

  • Workers shut down IBEDC offices in Kwara, Ogun

    Workers shut down IBEDC offices in Kwara, Ogun

    Staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Oyo State and Kwara on Thursday shut down the company’s main offices in Ibadan and Ilorin respectively.

    Groups representing the workers assembled early at the office and locked the gates with padlock. They went on to prevent visitors, presumably customers, from entering the premises and disrupting the day’s work and other services.

    The development occurred around the same time their Ogun colleagues in Abeokuta were performing a similar action. A visit to the company’s office at Ring Road in Ibadan indicated a similar action to the one at the Ilorin office in the city’s Challenge area.

    Few members of staff who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity in Ilorin said the strike action was about poor condition of service in the company.

    They carried placards with inscriptions such as “reverse your illegal disengagement of our members now”, “no more half salary”, and “we say ‘no’ to your executive orders”.

    Others are “pay our (Pension Fund Administrator) PFA, union and Cooperative deductions now”, “implement the new minimum wage”, et cetera.

    “The company is sacking us arbitrarily, they don’t remit our cooperative deductions, there is no accountability around our pension.

    “We are just working without promotion, our welfare is zero, the company hit new peak in December and there was no reward to staff who are working under uncomfortable conditions.

    “We have also seen a situation of payment of half salary, though indirectly, while casualisation of staff is also being promoted as if it is lawful,” representatives of the workers, who preferred anonymity, said.

    They also complained of lack of funding and no implementation of the new minimum wage among many other issues.

    Some areas visited in Ilorin as at the time of filing this report have since been without power supply. These include Fate Road, GRA, Taiwo Road, Opomalu, among others.

    Effort to speak with any of the IBEDC officials in Ilorin and Ibadan proved abortive as their phone numbers were either not connecting or ringing without the calls being picked.

    Busolami Tunwase, the Spokesperson for IBEDC in Ibadan, has also remained out of reach.

    Meanwhile, a public announcement by the company’s management late Thursday has confirmed the disruption of services as a result of a picketing by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

  • NLC gives deadline for defaulting States to pay new minimum wage

    NLC gives deadline for defaulting States to pay new minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said that stringent measures are in place to ensure that states and employers implement the national minimum wage and the consequential adjustment before the end of March.

    Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, President Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said this at its one day National Leadership Retreat organised for the union’s National Administrative Committee Members on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The theme of the retreat was, ” Leadership Challenges amongst Activists”.

    Ibrahim, who is also the National zinternal Auditor of the NLC, said that the measures were imperative due to the continuous delay by states and institutions to manipulate wage payments.

    According to him, one of the issues in the implementation of the minimum wage is that of insincerity.

    “The national minimum wage has been signed into law, and payments should have commenced nationwide.

    “But in most institutions and states, what they did was just to award a certain amount or a figure they are merely using to play with the intelligence of workers as minimum wage.

    “But I am happy that the NLC is not sleeping on this matter and we have been engaging.

    “But going forward, I can assure you that we are taking very stringent measures to ensure that between now and the end of this first quarter, that the minimum wage and consequential adjustment will be implemented.

    “Any state or employer of labour that refuses to implement the national minimum wage and the adjustment in workers’ salaries accordingly will face the consequences.

    “The labour laws are there and we have all that it takes to enforce our rights against those employers,” he said.

    Ibrahim, while speaking on the theme of the retreat, said that some members sabotaged strike actions, weakening the effectiveness of industrial actions.

    “Unfortunately, some of our own members work against our collective struggle. They engage in blackmail and underhand dealings to derail strike actions.

    “But this is not unique to SSANU; it happens in every sector. Part of why we are holding this retreat is to educate our members on the importance of unity and discipline within the union,” he said.

    Ibrahim also admitted that industrial actions had lost their effectiveness due to government indifference and worker fatigue.

    He noted that while strikes remained a last resort, the union would explore alternative negotiation strategies.

    He emphasised the need for continuous training of university staff and better funding of tertiary institutions.

    The SSANU president, however, said that universities must remain the centers of learning and innovation, requiring continuous capacity building for staff.

    “As leaders of this great union, we must ensure that our national executives are equipped with the latest global trends.

    ”SSANU is an affiliate of NLC, and we have benefited from international training programmes. It is important that we bring this knowledge back home and share it at all levels,” he said.

    Those present at the retreat include the former NLC President Ayuba Wabba, former SSANU President Chief Promise Adeusi, and the Director-General of the Institute of Mentoring and Coaching, Mr Rotimi Mathew.

  • Akwa Ibom starts payment of N80,000 minimum wage

    Akwa Ibom starts payment of N80,000 minimum wage

    Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has authorised the payment of N80,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state effective November, 2024.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh in Uyo on Tuesday.

    Udoh said the authorisation of the payment was sequel to the submission of the Minimum Wage/Personnel Verification by the Head of Service, Mr Effiong Essien to the governor on Monday.

    The CPS said the payment would be made to only the 45,000 personnel that had been duly verified.

    “Governor Umo Eno has authorised the commencement of the payment of the new minimum wage of N80,000 to 45,000 duly verified public service workers, beginning at the end of this month but backdated to November, 2024,” Udoh said.

    The implementation committee on the minimum wage was set up by the governor in December 2024 to ensure a smooth payment.

  • NLC demands payment of minimum wage to Lagos media workers

    NLC demands payment of minimum wage to Lagos media workers

    The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that workers of  the state-owned broadcast stations are entitled to the new minimum wage and should be paid  the wage.

    The  Chairman of the chapter, Mrs Funmi Sessi, made the assertion during a protest by the workers, on Monday in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the protest was by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and those of  Radio,  Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) in Lagos State media organisations.

    They protested non-payment of the new minimum wage as well as exclusion from the state’s Oracle payment system.

    Both unions had vowed to halt operations of the media organisations – Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM and Traffic Radio, from Jan. 13, to drive home their demands.

    Sessi, while addressing the workers, said: “You are workers of the state government, your letter of employment reads so, and you are entitled to the new minimum wage by the law of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “You should not be paid less.”

    The NLC chairman said that the protesting workers were discharging  their duties to the best of their abilities,  disseminating  information about the activities of the state government and  doing more.

    “However, they are the ones not receiving the new minimum wage, which has been approved by the government.

    “This is injustice to these workers,” she said.

    Sessi appealed to the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene, describing him  as full of  empathy.

    “Mr governor, we are not targeting your administration, but these workers have come out to say that their management has not done the needful.

    “This government is doing well; It is a whole new government and administration that is maintaining a very cordial relationship with workers.

    “However, it will not be good for some workers in the state not to enjoy the benefits that others are enjoying.

    “This is why we are out and calling on our good governor; these workers are demanding and asking that they should be included in the state’s Oracle payment system.”