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On Friday, the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants convened to finalize details surrounding the much-anticipated new minimum wage policy.
After thorough discussions, the committee confirmed that the revised wage structure, aimed at easing the economic burden on public workers, would be officially implemented on July 29, 2024.
The resolution was captured in a Memorandum of Understanding issued after the meeting, a copy of which was reviewed by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.
Additionally, the Committee recommended that the wage award, which had been discontinued by the government, should be fully paid to civil servants up to July 28, 2024.
The Committee, under the leadership of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, emphasized that the government was mindful of the economic climate before making its decisions.
“The Committee held four meetings and considered all presentations by the Federal Government and Trade Union Sides. It also considered the economic situation and ability of Federal Government to pay and sustain any consequential adjustment in salaries arising from the implementation of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024 as well as the effect on other employers.”
The MOU further recommended that, “The NSIWC will generate the appropriate salary templates for other consolidated salary structures for implementation: that the effective date of the implementation should be 29th July 2024, that the payment of the wage award issued vide NS/WC Circular SWC.04/T/33 dated 19th October 2023 should continue to be paid until 28th July 2024.
“That the Federal Government should take appropriate measures to alleviate the plight of Federal workers as a result of the recent increase in PMS, including the consideration of tax waivers and other incentives; and that the NSIWC in collaboration with other stakeholders should commence monitoring of the implementation in line with the provisions of the Act.”
Reacting in an interview, Benson Upah, the Head of Information for the Nigerian Labour Congress, expressed discontent with the government’s decision, deeming it unacceptable.
Read also: Soaring Fuel Prices: ₦70k Minimum Wage Now Worthless – NLC
“The backdating to July is not fair. It is not acceptable,” he said.
Also, the National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, Timmy Etim, criticised the government’s move.
He said since the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, had told workers on May Day that the new minimum wage would take effect in May, it was unfair for the government to renege on the promise.
“The Minister of State for Labour, during the May Day, said that the payment of the new national minimum wage would take effect from May 1st. I am surprised if they have changed and I don’t know the parameter they used for the change. But it will be unfair for the government to do that taking cognizance of the socio economic challenges.
“I think the government should walk the talk. If they say that the effective day is May, I believe that should have been effected. Even when they had deviated from May, it should have been from the date of which the Act was signed into law. But be that as it may, even the N35,000 should be applied till the effective date. If that is considered, I think it is reasonable,” Etim stated.
Meanwhile, several civil servants have expressed frustration over the delay in the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage, citing the financial strain it has caused amidst the rising cost of living.
