TheNewsGuru

Tag: minimum wage

  • NLC President releases fresh update on Tinubu’s N35,000 wage award

    NLC President releases fresh update on Tinubu’s N35,000 wage award

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says that the N35,000 wage award agreement with the Federal Government will continue until a new minimum wage is determined.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on Oct.1, had approved N35,000 as the provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid workers for six months.

    This was part of an agreement reached with the organised labour to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    However, the federal government have only paid two months of the wage award that commenced in September 2023.

    Ajaero, while speaking against the backdrop of the payment of the wage award, said the payment would run for only six months before the commencement of the national minimum wage.

    According to him, we did not sign six months wage award with the Federal Government, we sign a wage award that will be in existence until the new minimum wage is determined.

    “We are in the process of collating the compliance of the federal government on the payment of the wage award and we have even had a conversation with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress(TUC) on this .

    “We have asked our affiliates to collate the level of compliance to this and we are still waiting for their correspondents.

    “Even last week, during a courtesy call, I raised the issue with the Minister of Labour and Employment on that, it is not just the wage award, the entire agreement we had with them, they have not conceded to it,’’ he said.

    Ajaero noted that other issues that were yet to be implemented by the federal government includes the Port Harcourt refineries, CNG buses, wage award, among others.

    He however, assured workers that the issues were being looked into holistically.

    According to him, I have asked the federal government to go through all the agreement they have entered with us because that is where we are starting the year from.

    “We are not starting the year from even minimum wage, we have to look at the sanity and compliance to the agreement already entered with the government.

    “So far, it has not been rosy, there seems to be nobody that is keeping tap with the agreement and at a time like this, we need to get it right at the beginning of the year, so we are working on this issues seriously,” he said.

  • Expect new minimum wage this year – Tinubu assures Nigerians

    Expect new minimum wage this year – Tinubu assures Nigerians

    President Bola Tinubu has told Nigerian workers that his government will implement a new national minimum wage this year to alleviate their plights.

    The president, in a nationwide broadcast on New Year Day, said his administration would work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government.

    According to him, the economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected.

    “It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year. It is not only good economics to do this, but it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do,” he said.

    Tinubu added that in this New Year, his government would race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms it needed to put in place were codified and simplified to ensure the business environment did not destroy value.

    He said on every foreign trip he had embarked on, his message to investors and other business people had been the same, that Nigeria is ready and open for business.

    He vowed to fight every obstacle that impedes business competitiveness in Nigeria and that he would not hesitate to remove any clog hindering the path to making Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments.

    He explained that in his 2024 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, his administration’s eight priority areas included national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction and social security.

    “Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives,” he said.

  • What FG should do if petrol must sell at N750 per litre – NLC

    What FG should do if petrol must sell at N750 per litre – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the federal government to make minimum wage in the country commensurable with international wages if petrol must sell at N750 per litre.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NLC gave the advice while condemning the advice given by the World Bank to the Federal Government to increase petrol prices to N750 per litre.

    Recall World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria, Mr Alex Sienaert, offered the advice recently during a presentation of the Nigeria Development Update, Dec. 2023 edition.

    Sienaert had noted that the federal government may still be paying fuel subsidy, considering that fuel prices are currently not cost-reflective in the country.

    The economist also noted that based on the official foreign exchange rate, fuel should cost N750 per litre.

    However, Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, in a statement, titled, ”World Bank’s N750 per litre for premium motor spirit is a threat to Nigerians economy” on Friday in Abuja, said:

    “We vehemently reject the recent advice by the World Bank which has asked the Nigerian government to increase petrol prices to N750 per litre.

    “It is truly a shame that the World Bank has really shown itself to be an enemy of the Nigerian nation.

    “Its continued grandstanding and generation of anti-poor policies and programmes have destabilised many countries of the South, especially nations within the sub-Saharan region,” he said.

    Ajaero noted that the difficulties and suffering created by the last hike in the price of petrol was a product of the advice of the World Bank and its sister institution.

    The NLC President urged the government not to allow foreign entities to dictate economic policies that were detrimental to the welfare of its citizens.

    “It is imperative that our leaders look inwards, tapping into the vast resources and human potential within our nation.

    “This would address challenges and formulate policies that genuinely uplift the standard of living for all Nigerians.

    “We assert that it is not only impractical but truly immoral for the World bank to persistently advocate for policies that endanger the lives and livelihoods of citizens, imperiling our nation,” he said.

    He added it is crucial for the Nigerian government to prioritize the welfare of its people over external pressures.

    He called on the government to resist the temptation to implement policies that cater for the interest of international bodies, even at the expense of the well-being of its citizens.

    “The minimum wage in Nigeria for a privileged few is N30,000 (about US$ 30), while minimum wage in the US is equivalent of N1.5 million.

    “If you advocate for international prices then, it becomes commonsensical that you must advocate for international wages.

    “Our local reality is that we cannot think of increasing the pump price of petrol any further as it is a product whose price is pivotal in determining the price of other items in the country,” he said.

  • Thirty thousand Naira minimum wage expires in March 2024 – FG

    Thirty thousand Naira minimum wage expires in March 2024 – FG

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that the N30,000.00 (thirty thousand Naira) being paid as minimum wage to workers in the country would expire at the end of March 2024.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who disclosed this in an interview on Thursday, said a new minimum wage regime would come into effect on April 1, 2024.

    The minimum wage in Nigeria averaged N28,000.00 monthly from 2018 until 2023, reaching an all-time high of N30,000.00 monthly in 2019 and a record low of N18,000.00 monthly in 2018.

    “Certainly, there is a new wage regime that will come in on April 1, 2024,” Mohammed said, adding: “That is why these palliatives were targeted so they would cushion economic hardship before then”.

    Speaking further, the Information Minister said: “In our negotiation with Labour, we said that the wage issue was not something one could just fix.

    “A committee that will also involve Labour itself will work on it. The committee is being constituted and we are talking to Labour about it.

    “And by the time this current wage regime expires by the end of March, we will expect that a new wage will begin by April.

    “It is in this wage regime that we will now have a proper salary structure for workers across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

    “We expect that the private sector and state governors will also do the same.”

  • Tinubu’s N35,000 for workers to stay until new national minimum wage is signed into law

    Tinubu’s N35,000 for workers to stay until new national minimum wage is signed into law

    The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has disclosed that the N35,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu for all treasury-paid federal government workers in the country will stay until a new national minimum wage bill is signed into law.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ekpo Nta, Chairman and CEO of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission made this disclosure in a circular titled “Grant of Wage Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for Federal Workers”.

    The circular, dated 19th October 2023, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; Honourable Ministers/Ministers of State; Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Chairmen, Federal Commissions; Federal Permanent Secretaries, and Clerk of the National Assembly.

    Others are Secretary, National Judicial Council; Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission; Directors-General and Chief Executives of Parastatals; Agencies and Governments-Owned Companies; Auditor-General for the Federation; Accountant-General of the Federation, and Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation.

    According to the circular, the N35,000.00 provisional wage award is effective from 1st September 2023 and the implementation will be funded from the national treasury, pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.

    “I refer to the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday, 2nd October 2023 as a result of the dispute arising from withdrawal of subsidy on the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), and hereby convey the approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the grant of a wage award of N35,000.00 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only per month to all Federal Government workers with effect from 1st September 2023 pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law,” the circular reads.

    Recall President Tinubu approved the N35,000 as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers in response to agitations arising from the removal of fuel subsidy and the resultant economic hardship.

    However, before this disclosure by Nta, the President had said the N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers was for a period of six months.

    “Accordingly, the implementation of the N35,000.00 per month wage award for all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are treasury-funded will be funded from the treasury. Non-treasury funded Federal Government agencies are to implement same from their internally generated revenue (IGR) or statutory allocations.

    “Enquiries concerning this circular should be directed to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,” the circular added.

    See circular below:

     

  • N30,000 Minimum Wage: Bayelsa teachers threaten indefinite strike

    N30,000 Minimum Wage: Bayelsa teachers threaten indefinite strike

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to commence indefinite strike in public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa over the N30,000 minimum wage and promotion arrears.

    The union took the decision at an executive meeting on Oct. 12, after an earlier three-day warning strike failed to compel the Bayelsa Government to act.

    The teachers had gaven a 14-day ultimatum to the government and local councils to address the plight of teachers across the state or face industrial action.

    The grievances, according to the NUT, include inability of both state and local governments to implement the N30,000 minimum wage and effect promotion of primary school teachers in the state.

    The union said teachers were meted with untold hardships due to the non payment of promotion arrears to the teachers.

    NUT expressed dissatisfaction with government’s continuous negligence of the plight of teachers who played critical role in the state, in spite of engaging them at different fora in futility.

    The union said the attitude of government had brought nothing but humiliation and frustration to primary and secondary school teachers in the state.

    It said the 14-day ultimatum took effect from, Oct. 13 after failure to address the issues within the limit of the ultimatum would force teachers in the state to go on strike.

    The strike notice was ratified by the constituent eight local government branches of NUT in Bayelsa.

    Signatories to the communique after the meeting included  chairmen of LG branches of the union.

    Meanwhile, Dr Gentle Emelah, Bayelsa Commissioner for Education, declined comments when contacted as he did not respond to telephone calls and messages requesting for government’s clarification.

    Schools in Bayelsa had vacated on Aug. 29 due to expected flood and slated to resume on Nov 13.

  • Senate to expedite action on new minimum wage bill

    Senate to expedite action on new minimum wage bill

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Sen. Diket Plang,  says the upper chamber will give the expected new minimum wage bill expeditious consideration.

    Plang, in a statement on Friday in Abuja said the bill when passed, would further ensure improved welfare of workers and promote industrial harmony in the country .

    He assured Nigerians of the 10th National Assembly commitment toward improving the living conditions of workers and tackle the high level of poverty.

    ”Efforts of the Federal Government and the organised labour for agreeing to set in motion necessary machinery to review the current minimum wage as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed by the negotiating parties are commendable .

    ”The Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity under my chairmanship is prepared to give expeditious attention to the passage of a new Act once negotiation on the matter is concluded and such bill transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment,” he said.

    The chairman commended the Federal Government on the proactive actions taken to avert nationwide strike by workers on Tuesday but warned parties involved not to renege on the agreements reached .

    ”Nigerians and particularly members of this committee are happy that the looming industrial unrest was averted by memorandum of understanding signed by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

    “However, all the parties involved , should avoid reneging on any of the agreement reached”, he said .

    The committee he added, was committed to the International Labour Organisation principle of decent work and would take necessary legislative action to support efforts at improving the working conditions of Nigerians, including payment of living wage as enshrined in the decent work agenda.

  • Subsidy Removal: FG vows to address minimum wage

    Subsidy Removal: FG vows to address minimum wage

    The Federal Government has expressed its willingness to address the new National Minimum Wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Mr Simon Lalong, the new Minister of Labour and Employment made the pledged during his assumption of office with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment on Monday in Abuja.

    Lalong said that this was imperative in order to boost the relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC).

    According to him, the government through the ministry shall work closely with the NLC, TUC and their affiliates towards not only ensuring that all pending industrial disputes are settled amicably.

    “But also addressing with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    “I use this opportunity to specially convey the appreciation of President Bola Tinubu to the organised labour and Nigerian workers in general for exercising tremendous understanding and patience with the current situation.

    “The government does not take this for granted and Mr President has directed that we move on with negotiations to arrive at amicable resolutions that will make our workers overcome the current pains,” he said.

    He said that Mr President had mandated them to handle the very important aspects of Labour and Employment that were critical to national development and prosperity.

    Lalong said that the task were certainly enormous but achievable, especially with the abundant human resources Nigeria was endowed with.

    The minister also said that under his stewardship, the Ministry of Labour and Employment would fulfill its mandate to ensure decent work for all Nigerians.

    According to him, this is making sure that our citizens particularly the youth and women get the opportunity to deploy their energy, creativity, talent and gifts to the development of the nation.

    “Our workers must get value for their labour and operate in safe and conducive environment. Because of the level of unemployment, underemployment, and challenges associated with the work environment.

    “We have been mandated by Mr President to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labour both in the public and private sectors.

    “We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times,”he said.

    Lalong also said that this administration would therefore escalate the relations with the private sector, development partners, international agencies, NGOs among others.

    He said that this would ensure that unemployment and underemployment were reduced to the barest minimum according to the plan of the President Tinubu administration.

    He added that, overall, the ministry shall leverage on technology, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, agriculture among others to open up more employment opportunities for all Nigerians.

    “This is in addition to current Safety Net Jobs and new ones that this government will initiate within the coming weeks and months,”he said.

    He however commended Mr President for the appointment while pledging to do all within his power to assist the President fulfill his Renewed Hope Agenda for a better Nigeria.

    He added that we therefore need your support and understanding to succeed.

    Also, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State Labour and Employment commended Mr President for the appointment.

    Onyejeocha urged all to join hands and support President Bola Tinubu administration in conducting the affairs of the country to ensure development and prosperity.

    “Our youths are on the streets and as a ministry, we must take them out of the streets, it is our mandate and we must make that change.

    “It is a call to service and we asked God to enable us achieve the purpose,” she said.

    Mrs Juliana Adebambo, Director, Productivity Measurement in the ministry and also the acting Permanent Secretary pledged support to their tenure.

    Adebambo while handing a brief of the ministry mandates and activities the ministers, said she was hopeful they would deliver on their mandate.

  • Labour Minister Lalong urged to address minimum wage

    Labour Minister Lalong urged to address minimum wage

    Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Navy, has urged new Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, to brace up to address civil servants’ minimum wage issue in the country.

    Gagdi who represents Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State made the call in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

    Gagdi, described Lalong’s appointment as a round peg in a round hole, urged him to ensure that the wages of Nigerian workers could be dignifying for their labour to their fatherland.

    He also urged the minister to tackle headlong the prevalence of unemployment among Nigerian youths.

    The lawmaker expressed confidence that Lalong would justify the trust reposed in him by President Bola Tinubu and make Plateau proud in the  assignment given to him.

    He described Lalong’s appointment as Minister of Labour as a testament of the labour-friendly policies, which he had demonstrated as governor of Plateau.

    “On this occasion of your inauguration as the Minister of Labour and Employment in the ‘Renewed Hope’ cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, I celebrate you and dare say it is a testimony of your unrivaled record.

    “As the leader of All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, we do not doubt your competence and capacity to represent the state in the Federal Executive Council.

    “You have always proven your capability in every task assigned to you; the most recent being successfully leading APC’s presidential campaign to a resounding victory in the 2023 election,” he added.

  • Presidency looking at doubling minimum wage for workers – Ngelale

    Presidency looking at doubling minimum wage for workers – Ngelale

    The special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has said that his principal is looking at doubling the current minimum wage of N30,000

    According to the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, the federal government knows the removal of petrol subsidy is “hurting” Nigerians.

    Ngelale stated this while featuring in an interview session on Channels Television on Thursday night.

    Currently, the national minimum wage is N30,000, but Ngelale noted that with the removal of the subsidy, states now have enough funds to afford a new national minimum wage.

    “It’s absolutely evident at this point and I do not want to preempt President Bola Tinubu.

    “And I also don’t want to preempt the work of the minimum wage review committee. But what I will say is this, it is evident that the president would want nothing less than a doubling and I say nothing less.

    “This means you’re looking at a basic minimum of a doubling of the current minimum wage,” Ngelale said.