TheNewsGuru

Tag: minimum wage

  • Ekiti Gov, @KFayemi Insepects Ureje Bridge Collapse Site – Photo

    Ekiti Gov, @KFayemi Insepects Ureje Bridge Collapse Site – Photo

    Remember we reported about the collapsed bridge in Ekiti? Well, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday personally inspected the Ureje Bridge collapse site on Ado-Ijan Road.

    On the Governor’s entourage were the commissioners for Works, Mr Sola Adebayo, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Gbenga Agbeyo and the Special Adviser on Roads Infrastructure Mr Sunday Adunmo.

    The bridge collapsed due to heavy rainfall that caused an erosion in the area. Ekiti State Government has begun immediate palliative efforts within hours of the incident to keep the major link road motorable until the rains subside.

    The Governor, through a tweet from his personal handle @kfayemi, had assured the residents that reconstruction would commence once the rains are over noting that the Ado-Ijan road is under federal jurisdiction.

    These are images from his inspection below…

  • FG may sack workers to meet new minimum wage demand – Ngige

    …says N580bn needed to pay salaries annually

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on Thursday, said that the demand of labour over the implementation of the new minimum wage would cost the Federal Government N580 billion annually.

    Ngige said that such adjustment, in line with labour’s demand, was not sustainable as the government would have to lay off some workers to be able to meet their demands.

    The minister said government cannot afford that kind of money now, adding that the focus of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is on workers on grade level 1 step 1 and level 6 step 1 where the impact of the wage would be felt by workers.

    The Minister disclosed these on Thursday in Abuja when the leadership of United Labour Congress (ULC) led by its President, Mr Joe Ajeiro, paid him a courtesy at the ministry.

    While urging workers to show more understanding to the plight of the federal government, Ngige said the current economic realities, may make the new wage bill not feasible.

    He said that the government was avoiding a situation where it woul have to lay off workers, adding that this would add to the burden of the citizenry.

    Ngige appealed to the labour to accept the consequential adjustment from levels 7 to 17, adding that the federal government had only three months left to implement the new minimum wage.

    He said the government would not tell the labour leadwra what it could not pay, stating that no worker deserved to be owed salary.

    The minister said: “There is no problem with disagreement in the labour system, when can sometimes disagree to later agree, on the national minimum wage, it will translate to an additional N580billion if government agrees to the consequential adjustment labour is proposing.

    “Government cannot afford that kind of money now, besides the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is more interested in the lowest cadre of workers which are those on grade level 1 step 1 and level 6 step 1, these are the ones who the N30,000 will have greater impact on.

    “Government has done their own homework and brought out what they can use to defend this consequential adjustment. Grade 1 to 6 does not have any problem, but 7 to 14 band and 15 to 17 band this is where we have the problem.

    “Once you finish a minimum wage and go into consequential adjustment you are trying to reach a collective bargaining agreement and once you are trying to reach and once you are the principle of ability to pay comes in.

    “So if you push government to go and accede to an increment which its resources cannot accommodate, you are indirectly asking them to retrench workers so that the few that are remaining will get this big big money.

    “We don’t want that, from 2015 the president has made it clear that he is not out to inflict pains on Nigerians and that he does not want to create unemployment but even at that our increase in population is galloping and our resources is not consequentialy increasing to meet up that is why we have a lot of unemployed youths on the street today.

    “We need to arrive at an agreement as soon as possible so that we can use the 2019 budget allocation to deframe this consequential adjustment because it will be bad if we are unable to do it and we finish this financial year by December because the budget circle is going to return to January/December 2020 so we we have three months only before this recurrent funds as well are swept back into government treasury, that is the law.”

    He regretted the inability of the joint negotiating team of both the government and labour to agree on the consequential adjustments, insisting that the new wage may become bloated by workers on grade levels 7-14 and 15-17.

    Already organised labour has started mobilising their members to embark on strike on the 16th of this month.

    Ajaero, in his remarks, appealed to the minister for prompt payment of the new minimum wage, stressing that the private sector must also be compelled to pay the N30, 000 wage.

    He said that there was need to review obsolete laws that were not in tune with present reality, adding that a situation where some private sectors paid their employees N10,000 and N15,000 was unacceptable.

     

  • No timeline to begin implementation of minimum wage – Labour

    No timeline to begin implementation of minimum wage – Labour

    The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has said there is no timeline on when the Federal Government would begin the full implementation of minimum wage to workers on all levels.

    The General Secretary, JNPSNC Alade Lawal, said this in an interview in Abuja.

    Lawal said that he was hopeful that both the federal government and the organised labour would arrive at a decision soon.

    He said that negotiation with the government team may resume in a couple of days.

    Lawal said: “It is still as it was. On the part of labour we are talking to our people, we are briefing them. You can call it mobilisation if you like. With the way they are working behind the scene we may be back to the negotiation table in a couple of days.

    “This is not something that somebody can put a timeline. It is negotiation and when you negotiate you have fair deal from your side that you believe should be the ruling wage. They have their positions base on the numbers in the books.

    “So when you have two sides of a coin and you are meeting you can’t put a timeline but I want to believe that if you follow the trends of discussions, follow the trends of development, follow the trend of sincerity on the part of government, you will agree with me that we are moving very close to either arriving t something or let us see how it goes.”

    He dismissed the payment of minimum wage to workers on levels 1-6, stressing that as far as labour was concerned, the federal government had not paid minimum wage.

    “As far as we are concerned they have not paid anything. It has no effect,” he added.

  • Conclude discussion on new minimum wage, TUC urges FG

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently conclude discussion on the new minimum wage and commence implementation across board.

    The TUC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Ekundayo said that the union had condemned the segmental implementation of the minimum wage for grade levels one to six.

    NAN reports that the junior public servants from grade one to six have started receiving payment of the new minimum wage from the Federal Government for August salary.

    This was confirmed on Sept. 22 by Mr Lawrence Amaechi, the National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, also a member of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

    Ekundayo said: “The government implemented for grade levels one to six, leaving grades level seven upwards out, and we are still discussing around the consequential adjustment and relativity impact.

    “It needs to be quickly dealt with, concluded; what needs to be done is to go to the negotiation table, discuss these issues and let us have implementation for all the workers.”

    Also, the union Secretary, Mr Abiodun Aladetan, expressed displeasure over the delay of the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Aladetan said that it was the duty of government to address the issues in the interest of the workers.

    “It is unfortunate where we are on the minimum wage; recently, the Minister of Labour acknowledged that the government had commenced payment for those on grade levels one to six.

    “This could create division within the labour circle and as a labour movement, we condemn it; it will not deter us, but have a ripple effect on the system.

    “We call on government, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with labour; come to terms with these realities by accepting the demands of the labour movement,”Aladetan said.

  • FG to renegotiate full implementation of N30,000 minimum wage

    FG to renegotiate full implementation of N30,000 minimum wage

    The Federal Government is set to reconstitute a new committee to begin fresh negotiations for the full implementation of the new national minimum wage of N30,000.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The President has put in place a new committee or council called ‘Presidential Committee On Salaries and Allowances,” he said.

    Senator Ngige made the revelation when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) paid him a courtesy visit at his office in the nation’s capital.

    He, however, warned that the delay in agreement for the full implementation of the new minimum wage may put the Federal and State governments in a difficult position to pay because of the backlog that would arise.

    The minister explained that it was important for workers earning above N30,000 and on grade level seven to 17 to be patient.

    He gave assurance that the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage implementation was being sorted out.

    Senator Ngige added, “It is important that we advise them (the stakeholders), because we are not yet back on that negotiation, that if they keep on piling debts, the Federal Government might run into problem of payment.

    “The state governments that have not been regular with payments will have problems.”

    He, therefore, promised to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the stalemated negotiation on the new wage.

    The minister informed the labour leaders that the Federal Government was committed to the full implementation of the minimum wage.

    Also present at the meeting were the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, among others.

  • Minimum wage: Workers threaten strike as negotiation talk with FG suffers fresh setback

    Minimum wage: Workers threaten strike as negotiation talk with FG suffers fresh setback

    Workers, under the aegis of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC), are threatening to go on strike as a meeting of the Federal Government and the unions ended yesterday in a deadlock.

    The negotiations on the consequential adjustment, which was earlier adjourned till September 4 to allow the government’s team brief President Muhammadu Buhari, was rescheduled for September 16.

    But it suffered another setback as both parties failed to reach an agreement, despite minor adjustments in their separate positions.

    At yesterday’s meeting, which was chaired by the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, both government and the union leaders only made minor adjustments to their earlier positions.

    The government moved from its earlier position of 9.5 per cent to 11 per cent for Grade Levels Seven to 14 and 6.5 per cent from 5.5 per cent for Levels 15 to 17.

    The workers insisted that the government adjust salaries of workers on Grade Levels Seven to 14 by 30 per cent and those on Levels 15 to 17 by 25 per cent.

    Chairman of Labour’s team and National Auditor of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Simon Anchaver said workers stepped down to 29 per cent, from 30 per cent, for Grade Levels Seven to 14 and down to 24 from 25 per cent for Levels 15 to 17

    According to him, the negotiating council resolved to write to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on their advice about a possible industrial action.

    Also, Secretary of the negotiating council, Slade Lawal said organised labour would decide on the next line of action on the minimum wage.

    The labour leader said in due time, Nigerians would be informed.

    Lawal said: “The meeting is deadlocked. We found out that the Federal Government officials are not serious about it at all. We are suspecting foul play or a hidden agenda somewhere. So, we have decided to report the development to our principals, including the labour unions. Nigerians will be adequately briefed about our next line of action very shortly.”

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, recently told reporters that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that the process of negotiations be concluded as soon as possible to enable workers begin to enjoy the new wages.

  • Minimum wage: NYSC DG assures corps members of increase in allowance

    The Director General (DG) of National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Monday assured corps members that their monthly allowance of N19,800 would be reviewed upward.

    In a statement, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, said Ibrahim, who gave the assurance while interacting with corps members during a working visit to Lagos, promised that their allowance would be increased immediately the Federal Government commenced payment of the new minimum wage.

    Adeyemi said the NYSC boss had also promised corps members across the country improved welfare.

    “He said efforts are in top gear at all levels to ensure adequate welfare for all corps members.

    “He, however, advised them not to embark on unauthorised journeys that may endanger their lives, warning that such journeys would earn them sanctions from the corps.

    “He warned that violators of NYSC bye-laws would be dealt with in line with its rules,” Adeyemi stated.

    She said that Ibrahim had warned the corps members to avoid issues that would promote political, religious and tribal differences, but instead work to unite the country.

    According to her, Ibrahim also admonished the corps members to imbibe good morals and serve as responsible role models in their host communities.

    “He warned them to avoid rumour peddling through the Social Media but rather serve as agents of change and national unity.’’

  • FG minimum wage template will impoverish workers – Labour

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, has said that unrealistic demand from senior civil servants is delaying the implementation of the new Minimum Wage.
    But in a quick response, the Joint National Public Negotiation Council, which is representing workers in the negotiation, said government introduced a new strategy to halt negotiation with the introduction of new figures to come up with its own template.
    Labour added that the new template the Federal Government was proposing to implement the new minimum wage would impoverish workers.
    Negotiation between the Federal Government and the Joint National Public Negotiation Council broke down two weeks ago because of differences in percentage increase in the salaries of workers.
    While the Federal Government’s representatives in the technical committee set up to negotiate the consequential increase had proposed 9.5 per cent salary increase for workers on Grade Level 07 to Level 14 and five per cent increase for employees on Grade Level 15 to 17, the labour representatives are demanding 30 per cent salary increase for workers on Grade Level seven to 14 and 25 per cent for workers on Grade Level 15 to 17.
    While speaking with journalists at the opening of a retreat on 2017-2020 federal civil service strategy and implementation plan organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja on Monday, Oyo-Ita said the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the implementation of the new minimum wage.
    She called on labour to review its demands.
    She said, “President Buhari is keen on the implementation of the new minimum wage and that is why the committee set up on the consequential adjustment arising from the new minimum wage has been meeting unions within the labour union and the public service to arrive at a consequential adjustment.
    “There were a few not very realistic demands from the unions and so as not to continue delaying the implementation of the well-thought-out and clear policy of the President, we have to go ahead and seek his approval for the implementation while we continue discussion on the consequential adjustment.”

  • I have no problem with minimum wage implementation – Gov. Masari

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, says his administration has no problem with implementation of the new national minimum wage for workers.
    Masari gave the assurance on Friday, when he received the new leadership of the state chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
    He said that the government would look into the guidelines when released and work with the state allocation to ensure implementation.
    The governor, however, called for upward review of states’ revenue from the Federation Account to accommodate the new N30, 000 minimum wage.
    “When the guidelines are ready, the NLC leadership in the state will be invited to ascertain the new salary structure for the workforce.
    “Sincerely, I do not have problem with the new minimum wage, you know how much is being given to the states and local government councils,” he said.
    Also unveiling further plans aimed at citizens’ welfare, the governor said the administration would revamp the state Water Board to tackle water scarcity confronting residents.
    “The government had upgraded Ajiwa Dam, we are now working on the treatment plant and we have changed two new pumps.
    “We are building another treatment plant so that we can have adequate water supply for residents.’’
    Earlier, the NLC Chairman, Mr Hussaini Hamisu, told Masari that they were in Government House to introduce themselves as the newly elected officials of the union.
    Hamisu spoke on the need for urgent implementation of the new national minimum wage by the state government.
    He urged the government to centralise payment of salary of Katsina State Water Board employees.
    He also urged the governor to consider appointing one of the union members as Special Adviser on Labor Matters.

  • Labour unions tell workers to prepare for nationwide strike

    Labour unions tell workers to prepare for nationwide strike

    The organised Labour has directed its members in all the 36 states and Abuja to get ready for a total showdown with government should the negotiation on the adjustment from the new national minimum wage break down.
    The Trade Union side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council (JNPSNC) after her meeting also reviewed downward her demands from 66.66 percent to 30 percent for officers on grade levels 07-14 and 25 percent for officers on grade levels 15-17.
    On its part, the government side is insisting on 9.5 percent salary adjustment for officers on grade levels 07-14 and 5 percent for those on grade levels 15-17.
    The workers expressed concern that rather than presenting the two positions to technical subcommittee as agreed, but “Surprisingly, when the Technical Sub-Committee reconvened, the Government Side introduced a strange clause to the discussion insisting that the Term of Reference of the Committee was to work out the consequential adjustment of salaries of Public Servants based on the subhead provided for salaries in the 2019 Budget.”
    “All efforts by the Trade Union Side to persuade the Government Side to return to the right track of negotiation and agree on a realistic percentage increase proved abortive.”
    “Thus, the Government Side deliberately created a stalemate and thereafter adjoined the meeting of the Technical Committee sine die.”
    According to a communiqué, a copy of which was issued to newsmen, the workers said the downward review by labour was due to a promise by government to undertake a general salary review in no distance time.
    The communiqué was jointly signed by the acting chairman and Secretary, Comrades Anchaver Simon and Alade Bashir Lawal. The communiqué reads in part, “The Trade Union Side of JNPSNC has now resolved that the Federal Government should reconvene the meeting of the Technical Committee on Consequential Adjustment immediately so that it can conclude its deliberations and ensure that all Public Service Employees benefit adequately from the N30,000 new monthly National Minimum Wage signed into Law by Mr. President since April, 2019.”