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Tag: minimum wage

  • Minimum Wage: FG inaugurates 16-member committee on consequential adjustment

    Minimum Wage: FG inaugurates 16-member committee on consequential adjustment

    The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja, inaugurated a 16-member committee on consequential adjustments in salaries, to deliberate on issues arising from provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.

    Inaugurating the committee, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Head of Service of the Federation, said the decision by the government became imperative so as to maintain a fair and equitable salary structure for the federal civil servants.

    Walson-Jack said the decision was as a result of the minimum wage, which was now fixed at N70,000 representing 133.33 per cent increase from the previous minimum wage of N30,000

    “Consequently, there is a need to adjust the salaries of other categories of staffers, taking into consideration the consequential effect of the new minimum wage.

    “To implement the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, the Federal Government approved the constitution of a committee on consequential adjustments in salaries comprising 16 members.

    “This is made up of eight members each from the Federal Government and Trade Union sides,” she said.

    The committee on the government side chaired by Didi Walson-Jack has Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Permanent Secretary, General Service Office (OSGF), as members.

    Others were Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (OHCSF), Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Secretary, National Assembly Service Commission, Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission.

    On the Labour Side, the committee has Comrade Benjamin Anthony – National Chairman – JNPSNC (TUS) and National Vice President NLC, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, National President, NCSU and National Vice President NLC, Comrade Roselyn Uba Anarah  National President – NUPSRAW.

    The others are Comrade Kabiru  Minjibir – National President – MHWUN, Comrade Michael Nnachi – National President, NAMMN, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga – (Ag) National Secretary – JNPSNC.

    The HOS listed the terms of reference of the committee to include; to negotiate and agree on the consequential adjustments in salaries arising from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.

    The committee would also develop the template for ease of implementation of the approved N70,000 minimum wage.

    “It is crucial for us to recognise the significance of this assignment, and with a focus on maintaining industrial peace and harmony.

    “I am confident that we will execute it in the best interests of the public service and the nation as a whole, ” she said.

    Mr Benjamin Anthony, National Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, who responded on behalf of labour, thanked the government for the decision, which he described as a ‘stepping stone’ to finalise discussion on the minimum wage.

    “We on the labour side wish to appreciate the government for coming up with this committee to ensure that we discuss on the consequential adjustment, to ensure payment of salaries based on the new minimum wage.

    “For us we believe it is a stepping stone and we are going to work together with the government side to ensure that we bring a fair and a sincere discussion for the Nigerian workers.

    “I believe that this will also consolidate our synergy with the government to continue to work together for the betterment of Nigerian workers, ” he said.

  • Gov Bago gives condition to pay new minimum wage

    Gov Bago gives condition to pay new minimum wage

    Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has said his administration will not hesitate to implement the N70,000 minimum wage as far as resources were available. He said this in an interview with newsmen after declaring open the 2024 quadrennial state delegate conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Minna on Wednesday.

    Bago, represented by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba, said that the state government was waiting for its implementation at the national level.

    “The issue of minimum wage is a done deal, we are waiting for it as far as funds are available, we will not hesitate to ensure the implementation in the state,” he said.

    He disclosed that back-log of salaries of health workers had been paid as well as the ongoing renovation of 100 healthcare facilities for conducive working environment. He said that government had been consistent in the payment of counterpart funds, adding that the state Ministry for Primary Healthcare Development was created to cater for welfare of health workers.

    Bago thanked the union leaders for the mutual relationship with the state government and appealed to them to look inward and continue to collaborate with the government. According to him, workers have the right to agitate for their entitlements but they should also consider what the government is doing to ensure their welfare.

    The governor advised the incoming executives of MHWUN to put aside their personal interest and prioritise members interest.

    In his address, Abdullahi Erena, the state Chairman of MHWUN, said the conference was to elect new leadership that would pilot the affairs of the union for the next four year.

    He said the union had faced challenges such as global pandemic, economic uncertainties, healthcare demands and banditry, but had reminded committed to provision of healthcare services.

    In his remarks, Dr Kabir Sani, National President of MHWUN, called on Nigerians to condemn the recent increment in fuel pump price and called on government to revert it.

    He said the union was committed to supporting any lawful action by the organised labour to save workers and Nigerians from the economic challenges.

    Also, Malam Idris Lafene, Niger Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called for unity among unions and condemned the recent increase in fuel pump price and electricity tariff.

  • No new minimum wage for Yobe workers yet – Gov’s Aide

    No new minimum wage for Yobe workers yet – Gov’s Aide

    The Yobe State Government says a viral post credited to it on the approval of a new minimum wage is false and misleading. This is contained in a statement by Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, issued in Damaturu on Thursday. He said the state government did not issue any statement on the new minimum wage as it was still working on it.

    “The attention of the Yobe Government has been drawn to a false and misleading post on social media alleging approval of a new minimum wage. The government has not issued any statement with regard to the minimum wage as it is still working on it, and would provide a statement on this, as soon as it is completed.

    “It is therefore grossly irresponsible, preemptive and misleading for anyone to unofficially speak, or post any statement for, or on behalf of the state government. The post failed to provide details nor indicate when and where the statement emanated, making the content professionally discredited,” Mohammed said.

    The aide said a national daily had already disowned the content, saying that the logo used on the online post did not emanate from it and the story could not be found on its website. He, therefore, advised the public to disregard the “ mischievous and misleading post.

  • Gombe govt agrees to pay new minimum wage, stop wage award

    Gombe govt agrees to pay new minimum wage, stop wage award

    The Gombe State Government will pay the new national minimum wage of N70,000 to its workers, Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau has announced. Jatau, Chairman of the state’s Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage negotiation, told newsmen on Sunday in Gombe that his committee is finetuning the details in that respect.

    Represented by the State Head of  Civil Service, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi, Jatau explained that the governor was “highly committed to ensuring that civil servants in the state enjoy the new national minimum wage. Governor Inuwa Yahaya is fully determined to pay the minimum wage. He is one governor that believes that the new minimum wage is a necessity”.

    Jatau said that civil servants would continue to enjoy the N10,000 wage award which they had been receiving since September 2023, until the new minimum wage is implemented.

    “Once we reach an agreement (on the new minimum wage), the implementation will begin and the N10,000 palliative will stop,” he said.

    On his part, Mr Yusuf Aish, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) in Gombe State, said that all parties had agreed to wait for the Federal Government’s approved table on the new pay.

    “When the new minimum wage table is out, full negotiations will commence,” he said.

    The NLC chairman urged the civil servants to be patient pending when the negotiations would be concluded.

  • Gov Fintiri approves payment of new minimum wage

    Gov Fintiri approves payment of new minimum wage

    Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the payment of N70,000 National Minimum Wage to workers in the state and local governments’ payrolls.

    Emmanuel Fashe, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) disclosed this to newsmen shortly after a closed-door meeting with  Fintiri on Monday in Yola.

    According to him, state government workers will start receiving the new minimum wage from August, while those of the local governments  will commence from September.

    “The template to be used is the consequential adjustment table that was used in 2019, pending the release of the table from the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission.

    “Whatever the worker was getting as the present national minimum wage of N32,000 as it applies to Adamawa, that same will be applied in terms of percentages in implementation of the new minimum wage,”he said.

    Fashe assured the state and local governments staffers of the governor’s determination to prioritise their welfare.

    He said, ”Hence, the implementation of the new minimum wage even before the release of the table from the national salaries, wages and income commission”.

  • Wage award not part of N70,000 minimum wage – NLC Lagos

    Wage award not part of N70,000 minimum wage – NLC Lagos

    The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has explained that the N35,000 wage award in the state should not be taken as part of or in lieu of the N70,000 new minimum wage recently passed into law.

    NLC Lagos State Chairman Funmi Sessi explained this in Lagos on Friday.

    The congress expressed concern about a statement from a certain commission that the state was already paying more than N70,000 prescribed minimum wage to its employees.

    It called for a new wage structure starting from the approved N70,000 to be worked out to reflect various cadre and salary grade levels of all categories of workers in the state’s public service as it reflected in all the allowances.

    The congress, therefore, called on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the state to constitute a wage committee to look into the immediate implementation of the N70,000 to all categories of public servants in the state.

    “NLC commends the state Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to the welfare of workers as evident in the state being the first to implement the N35,000 wage award palliative to public servants in the nation.

    “Alluding to the N35,000 palliative wage award as part of the calculated earned income in the state is not the true situation since the wage award does not reflect on the allowances,” it said.

    The congress also implored employers of labour in the private sector to adhere to the provisions of the law guiding the approved new minimum wage in the country.

    According to them, the welfare of the workers, who are the lifeline of any business, should be prioritised.

    “Government agencies that are saddled with the responsibility to ensure compliance should be proactive and ensure fearless to all concerned,” the congress noted.

  • Delta takes step on implementation of new minimum wage

    Delta takes step on implementation of new minimum wage

    Delta State Government has taken a firm step on the implementation of the new minimum wage with a directive to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, and the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, to hold talks with the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on its implementation in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, announced this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba.

    Dr. Osuoza said the talks between the government and the organized labour would revolve round the consequential adjustments of the new wage.

    The Commissioner also said the State Exco also approved the payment of N3.55bn as counterpart funding for the 2024 Universal Basic Education Programme in the state. He said Exco also approved the appointment of Obi Sunday Ubaka Ogboli as Obi of Issele-Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

    The Information Commissioner disclosed that Exco also approved the reconstruction of Ohoror-Bomadi Road; construction of Olomoro-Igbide Road; construction of Emevor-Ivrogbo-Orogun Road Phase 2; Otekpo Road in Ellu and Idumu-Etiti Street with a spur to market Road, Owere-Olubo.

    Others include; the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of failed sections of NNPC Housing Complex Road, Uvwie Local Government Area; Ekeye-Ovedhe close in Okumagba Layout, Warri; General Hospital Road, Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area; Old Sapele/ Warri Road from Amukpe Junction to Ikwuehu, with a spur to Ayemidejor Close in Sapele Local Government Area, and Orerokpe-Okulohor-Oviri Road; and Osubi- Okuokoko road and environs, Phase 1.

    Also approved are internal roads and drains in Kurutie, Obitobon-Elolo-Ajaokurogbo-Orubu Road Phase 2, Ogidigben; Kurutie internal roads Phase 2; Old Sapele Road to Amukpe to Ikwewu Community with a spur to Ayemidejor Close in Amukpe, Okeye and Iyke Oputa Street, Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Issele-Azagba-Otulu road in Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas.

    The Commissioner also said Governor Oborevwori decried the prevalent hardship in the country and directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and the Chief Job Creation Officer to bring up programmes that would cushion the effect of the hardship, especially on youths across the state.

    Speaking to journalists at the briefing, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu said the approvals buttress Governor Oborevwori’s Meaningful Development plans across the state with 23 out of 25 local government areas directly impacted by the Exco new approvals.

    Speaking on the approval for the reclamation of gully erosion site along Okpanam-Ibusa bypass Road, the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, said the approval would enable the state government reclaim areas affected by gully erosion for the sustainability of the new road.

    Also speaking during the post-Exco briefing, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, said the state Exco approved the purchase of two Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning machines, one each for the Central Hospital, Warri, and the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara.

    Dr. Onojaeme disclosed that the approval for the purchase of the medical equipment was very significant as it is used for diagnosing diseases and internal injuries in the health care delivery sector, adding that the CT scan is for the benefits of all Deltans.

    According to him, the Ministry of Health had got approval to renovate over 150 primary health centres (PHCs) across the state because of its importance in the health care delivery system, saying “if Primary Health care facilities are properly taken care of, more then 80 per cent of health challenges would have been addressed.”

  • Corps members will not receive N70,000 minimum wage – NYSC clarifies

    Corps members will not receive N70,000 minimum wage – NYSC clarifies

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it has not directed corps members to upgrade their accounts for payment of N70,000 minimum wage.

    The  NYSC said this in a statement issued by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa, on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to Megwa, the misleading information making the rounds on social media  is absolute falsehood.

    “Corps members, parents and members of the public should note that no directive has been received from any relevant sector of government responsible for wage matters.

    “It is therefore impossible for the NYSC to issue any directive on such.

    “Corps members already know the approved channel and mode of communication in the scheme and should therefore ignore the directive accordingly.

    “The NYSC by this release,  therefore, urges corps members to desist from allowing mischief makers to play on their intelligence,” he said.

    Megwa also warned bloggers and social media influencers to stop issuing statements that concern the management of NYSC without authorisation.

  • No worker will be paid less than N70,000 from today – Akpabio

    No worker will be paid less than N70,000 from today – Akpabio

    President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on Monday has assured Nigerians that no worker will be paid less than N70,000 minimum wage.

    Akpabio made the remark during the signing ceremony of the Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

    He also noted the national minimum wage was for the whole nation.

    He clarified that the new national minimum wage was for the Federal Government, states, local governments, the private sector and even individual employers.

    “So, I think this is a great day for the workers in the country. We are not only doubling the minimum wage, we have added something on top. Initially, it was N30,000, now it is N70,000.

    “Like I said, this is minimum, this is not maximum. Any employer that has a capacity can pay as much as you want. But no Nigerian worker will offer services and be paid anything less than N70,000 from today.

    “That is the implication of this act. It applies all over the nation. And we are excited that this is happening at a time like this through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; a man who cares for the Nigerian workers,” he said.

    He said the entirety of the National Assembly moved quickly and passed the bill in one day out of excitement.

    “We felt that this was not something we could delay. So, I think the workers are happy.
    “I want to use this opportunity to call on those who are attempting to foment trouble; that you have a right to protest. It is your fundamental right. It is there in the constitution.

    “But you don’t have a right to destabilise the country. The right to protest should not be turned into the right to unleash violence. It’s very clear that people who are behind this are very amorphous, very faceless,” said Akpabio.

    He said the current hardship experienced by Nigerians was not caused by the Tinubu administration, which was just one year old.

    “It is the outcome of years of insecurity. Many people could not go to farms for almost 10 years and  know that and the President has risen to the occasion.

    “Every food item that is coming in now will come in without any restrictions; bring in food because Nigerians need to eat. And then at the same time, most things are coming in with a lot of waivers.

    “So, for me, I’m excited that yes, indeed, the government is doing what it should. And we the leaders in the National Assembly, we are touching our various constituencies,” he said.

    He appealed to the youth not to allow any group to mislead them politically noting that destruction of any property would cause Nigeria money.

    He said the bill to finance the new minimum wage had gone very far, and that he expected it to be signed into law by Wednesday.

    Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who represented Alhaji Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the signing into law of the minimum wage bill by the President showed that he cared about the Nigerian people.

    “So, I think this movement from N30,000 to N70,000 and reducing the negotiation from five to three years is a clear demonstration of a commitment to redirect, refocus and reposition Nigeria for greatness,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu had on July 18 increased the Federal Government’s offer on the national minimum wage from N62,000 to N70,000, with an assurance that it would be reviewed after three years, instead of five years.

    The President said the labour leaders challenged the thinking faculty of leadership, hence the government reviewed its position and approved a new N70,000 minimum wage.

  • N6.2trn supplementary budget for minimum wage, infrastructure – Minister

    N6.2trn supplementary budget for minimum wage, infrastructure – Minister

    The Federal Government says the proposed N6.2 trillion supplementary budgetary will be used to pay the minimum wage.

    Mr Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, gave the assurance while addressing the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation in Abuja.

    He said that the funds would be spent on stimulating the economy through the implementation of various infrastructural projects.

    These projects include road, rail, water, irrigation, and dam projects in the 2024 fiscal year with prudent utilisation of the funds.

    He said that the N3 trillion would cater for the newly proposed national minimum wage, for which President Bola Tinubu said the bill would soon be sent to the National Assembly.

    He said that the proposed budget was also aimed at providing counterpart funding for rail projects that had literally stopped for a while, including the longest among them.

    These, according to him, are the Port Harcourt Main Bridge, which would traverse the rivers Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and other parts of the country.

    The minister said the second project is Badagry-Tin Can Port, Lekki Port, while the third one is Lagos-IIbadan Standard Gauge, adding that the fourth one is Kano-Marada Standard Gauge.

    He said that there would be funding for rolling stock that is required, adding that this would gulp the sum of N530 billion as requested for the five rail projects.

    Bagudu said that the sum of N522 billion was also provided for water, irrigation, and dam projects, adding that the proposed N3.2 trillion renewed hope infrastructural fund was “intended to provide equity contributions.

    Bagudu assured that the projects encapsulated in the amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Bill would not limit the revenue available for the implementation of the 2024 Appropriation Act.

    Rep. Abubakar Bichi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, had earlier urged the Minister to give details on the Appropriation Bill, including the N3.2 trillion capital expenditure increase.

    This also includes the N3 trillion recurrent expenditure for the newly proposed national minimum wage transmitted by Mr. President for accelerated consideration.

    Bichi observed that there was a need for Nigerians to be adequately informed of the details of the proposed N6.2 trillion budget.

    This, he says, was in addition to the N28.7 trillion appropriation Act approved for the 2024 fiscal year.

    The Committee urged the Federal Government to address the infrastructural deficit and also address issues of security.

    Responding, Bagudu said that various efforts were being made to address issues concerning the security of lives across the country.

    NAN reports that some of the projects proposed in the supplementary budget include: Lagos-Calabar, a 1,000-kilometer road project for which a sum of N150 billion is required

    Sokoto-Badagry road projects, as well as the rail project, for which the Chinese government has provided 85 percent funding while the Federal Government is yet to provide the 15 percent counterpart finance.

    According to Bagudu, the Lagos-Calabar, which is expected to start in three different sections, has commenced in Lagos, the Calabar end, and one additional section, Sokoto-Calabar.

    He added that the Lagos-Calabar also covered the five Southeast States as well as Port Harcourt and Maiduguri rail lines.