– says measure will enhance economic wellbeing and increase productivity of Federal Workers
In a determined move to ensure the productivity and economic wellbeing of Federal Workers, the Federal Government has inaugurated the committee on the Consequential Salaries Adjustments, arising from the National Minimum Wage Act 2024. The Committee is chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack OON, mni.
The HCSF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for increasing the National Minimum Wage from Thirty Thousand (N30,000) to Seventy Thousand Naira ( N70,000) representing 133.33% increase from the previous minimum wage for Nigerian Workers.
She stated that the increase will improve workers commitment, enhance their economic wellbeing and increase productivity of Federal Civil Servants.
The HCSF further noted that the consequential adjustment in salaries is imperative in maintaining a fair and equitable emolument structure, maintain industrial peace and harmony for the workers.
“There is a need to adjust the salaries of other categories of staff, taking into consideration the consequential effect of the new minimum wage”, she explained.
The HCSF urged members to recognize the significance of the assignment and focus on maintaining industrial peace and harmony for the benefit of the public service and the nation at large.
National Chairman Joint Negotiating Council, representing the Labour team, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, thanked the government for the decision which he described as a ‘stepping stone’ to finalise discussion on the implementation of the minimum wage.
He said labour believed it is a stepping stone working together with the government side to ensure a fair and sincere discussion to reach a common ground for the Nigerian workers.
The Committee Terms of Reference include; to negotiate and agree on the consequential adjustments in salaries arising from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024 and also to develop the template for ease of implementation of the approved N70,000 minimum wage.
Members of the Committee from the Federal Government Side include; Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour Employment, Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
Others are; Permanent Secretary Service Welfare Office (OHCSF), Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation,Secretary, National Assembly Service Commission and Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission m
Members from the Trade Union Side include;
Comrade Benjamin Anthony – National Chairman – Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday – National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Roselyn Uba Anarah – National President, Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial.
Others are; Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir – National President – Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Michael Nnachi – National President – National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NAMMN), and Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga – (Ag) National Secretary, Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
At the maiden meeting held after the inauguration, all parties agreed to a speedy conclusion of all the issues involved in order to accelerate the implementation of the consequential minimum wage Act 2024.