Minimum

October 17, 2024 0 comment 20 views

Sanwo-Olu to pay N85,000 minimum wage

by admin October 16, 2024

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed plans to raise the N70,000 national minimum wage to N85,000 for workers in the state.

Speaking during a live interview on Channels TV’s “One-On-One with Babajide Sanwo-Olu” on Wednesday evening, the governor confirmed the decision had already been discussed with labour unions.

He explained that the higher wage reflects the state’s capacity to afford it and addresses the elevated cost of living in Lagos. He also hinted at the possibility of further wage increases next year.

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Sanwo-Olu said, “You also mentioned about the minimum wage and what do I need to throw in for my people. I’m glad to announce that the minimum wage for Lagos which we have discussed with our unions is N85,000 today and it is not a competition.

“It is a function of affordability and capacity but we know too well that when people live in Lagos, it has a premium in terms of cost of living.”

“We increased our salary earlier in the year and would like to come in January and say I’ve been able to increase the minimum wage in Lagos to N100,000.”

The governor also touched on plans to expand the state’s transport system, particularly rail, with a goal of connecting all five districts.

Recall that in July, President Tinubu approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers and committed to reviewing the wage law every three years.

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October 16, 2024 0 comment 19 views

Sanwo-Olu unveils N85,000 minimum wage for Lagos workers

by admin October 16, 2024

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the minimum wage for workers in the state has been raised to N85,000, citing the state’s financial capacity to sustain the increase.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the governor clarified that the decision was not driven by competition but by the state’s affordability and understanding of the high cost of living in Lagos.

“I am glad to inform you that the minimum wage for Lagos, which was discussed with our union, is now N85,000,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

He emphasised that the adjustment was made to reflect the premium cost of living in Lagos, adding that it was important for workers to earn a wage that aligns with the state’s economic realities.

Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the government had implemented a salary increase earlier in the year and expressed his ambition to raise the minimum wage to N100,000 by January 2025.

“I hope to return in January to announce that we have raised Lagos’ minimum wage to N100,000, not to outshine anyone, but to ensure that our workers can earn a living wage and feel the impact of government support,” he explained.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Lagos State workers and ensuring that the government remains responsive to their needs.

October 16, 2024 0 comment 25 views

Ogun workers to receive N77,000 as minimum wage

by admin October 15, 2024

By Abiodun Lawal

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has approved N77,000 as the minimum wage in the state, with the payment taking immediate effect.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, on Monday in Abeokuta.

According to the statement, the decision was revealed after a meeting of the state government led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of the organised labour in the state.

The organised labour at the meeting comprised of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).

Talabi said that the meeting was at the instance of the governor, who he said had directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000, starting from October.

The SSG stated that the governor meant well for the people of the state and had proactively taken steps to further ameliorate the suffering of the people.

He added that the governor had also advised the organised private sector to take a cue from the policy, as their workers were not exempted from the economic realities in the country.

The SSG noted that the governor had therefore advised that the private sector should dialogue with their relevant stakeholders to arrive at a commensurate minimum wage for the sector.

“The governor promised to set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed,” he said.

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On his part, the state NLC Chairman, Hameed Benco, said the organised labour in the state was pleased with the governor having approved the N77,000 in consultation with union leaders.

Benco stated that the minimum wage remained the highest in the country today, adding that the other sectorial salaries would be affected accordingly.
He also mentioned that government had graciously approved the submission of labour that the new basic salary should not be taxed.

(NAN)

October 15, 2024 0 comment 26 views

Senate President’s office debunks viral video

Minimum wage: Gombe govt approves N71,451 for workers

by admin October 15, 2024

The Gombe State Government has approved a new minimum wage of N71,451.15 for state civil servants and Local Government employees.

This development followed the successful conclusion of negotiations between the government and organised labour, which will see the lowest-paid worker in the state now earning the new national minimum wage.

Both the Gombe State Government and the Labour Union agreed and signed the documents containing details of the new minimum wage package, earlier on Monday.

The signing ceremony, was presided over by Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, who chairs the state negotiation committee.

In his remarks to the press, Jatau reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya to improving the welfare of workers.

According to him, “This agreement demonstrates Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to enhancing the livelihood of public servants, ensuring their hard work is properly rewarded.”

It may be recalled that the negotiation committee had previously announced the approval of the wage increase, with implementation set to commence in October 2024.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gombe State Chapter, Comrade Yusuf Aish Bello, expressed appreciation to Governor Inuwa for his responsiveness.

He called on workers to reciprocate the gesture through renewed dedication and commitment to their duties.

The event was attended by key government officials, including the Head of Civil Service, Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi, Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, who chairs the Technical Committee, Commissioners of Budget and Economic Planning, Local Government and Community Development, State Accountant General, Permanent Secretary Bureau for Public Service Reforms, ALGON Deputy Chairperson along with other officials and representatives of the NLC.

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October 15, 2024 0 comment 31 views

NLC: How we agreed on N71,500 minimum wage for Gombe workers

by admin October 15, 2024

Mr Yusuf Aish-Bello, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Gombe has explained how the union agreed on N 71,500 minimum wage for civil servants with the state government.

He spoke following the approval of N71,500 minimum wage for civil servants in the state effective from October.

Aish-Bello led organized labour to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the new National Minimum Wage with the state government on Monday in Gombe.

Aish-Bello said that a worker on GL01/1, would be receiving N71,551 minimum pay in the state.

“Today, we have reached an agreement on what will be paid to civil servants in the state.

“It has been agreed that the minimum standard of paying in Gombe State will be N71,551.15 that is for Grade Level 1 step 1

“You know the salary structure has its own intricacies, the N18,000 and N30,000 is nothing to write home about.

“Most especially on the issue of basics that was our focus as it form what you get when you retire.

“The highest quantum will be on the basic for our civil servants, especially for those retiring and we have achieved over 60 per cent.

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“Level one will have basic of N42,000 and this descends in consequential adjustment on the basic. The more it’s going up, the amount comes down by consequential adjustment.

“What is left now is 40 per cent which is spread on the allowances there as minimum wage that was how we arrived at N71,551,“ he said.

On non payment of arrears, he said the state government implemented N10,000 palliative to the workers since September 2023, adding that the labour unions considered the gesture.

Earlier, the state deputy governor, Mr Manassah Jatau, who is the Chairman of the Gombe State Minimum Wage Committee said the government had sealed agreement with labour union leaders.

Jatau said the new minimum wage would be paid in October, adding the state government was committed to the welfare of its workers.

October 15, 2024 0 comment 25 views

Abiodun sets new national standard with N77,000 minimum wage

by admin October 15, 2024

By Adejoke Adeleye

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved a new minimum wage of N77,000 for the state’s lowest-paid workers, with immediate effect.

The announcement came after a crucial meeting between the State Government, led by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of the organised labour unions in Ogun, which include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC). The meeting focused on the implementation of the new wage structure.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Talabi explained that Governor Abiodun had instructed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 from October onwards.

He added that this move was part of the Governor’s proactive efforts to alleviate the economic challenges facing the state’s workforce.

“The Governor is keen on improving the living standards of Ogun citizens and has urged the private sector to follow suit by ensuring fair wages for their employees, as they are equally impacted by the country’s economic situation,” Talabi noted.

To ensure compliance, the Governor plans to establish a monitoring team to oversee the implementation of the new minimum wage in the private sector, ensuring workers are not underpaid.

The NLC Chairman in Ogun, Comrade Hameed Benco, expressed satisfaction with the state government’s decision, noting that Ogun now offers the highest minimum wage in Nigeria.

Benco highlighted that while some states pay N70,000 or slightly more, Ogun’s N77,000 stands out as a major achievement for workers.

He also confirmed that the government had accepted the labour unions’ demand that the new minimum wage should not be taxed, ensuring workers retain their full earnings.

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In their remarks, Comrades Akeem Lasisi (TUC) and Isa Olude (JNC) praised the government for its commitment to workers’ welfare, adding that discussions regarding pensioners and other related adjustments would be addressed soon.

Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, lauded the Governor’s decision, calling it a testament to his sensitivity towards the plight of the workers.

He expressed optimism that the new wage structure would motivate employees to work diligently towards the successful implementation of government policies.

October 15, 2024 0 comment 18 views

Ogun gov, Abiodun, approves N77,000 minimum wage

by admin October 14, 2024

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, approved N77,000 as the new minimum wage for workers on the lowest cadre in the service.

This was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, after a meeting with the leadership of the organized labour in the state, stating that the payment takes immediate effect.

The SSG was said to have explained that the meeting was at the instance of the Governor, who directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 starting from the month of October.

He said that the decision was part of the proactive step by the Dapo Abiodun’s led government to further ameliorate the suffering of the people.

Talabi said that the Governor also advised the organized private sector to take a cue from the policy, as their workers are not exempt from the economic realities in the country, to improve the living standards of people in the state holistically.

The SSG also noted that the Governor has therefore advised that the private sector should dialogue with their relevant stakeholders to arrive at a commensurate minimum wage for the sector while he will set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed.

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On his part, the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco, said the organized labour in the state is very pleased with the Governor having approved the N77,000 in consultation with labour leaders, which today is the highest in the country.

Benco noted that some states that have implemented the new minimum wage are paying N70,000, while some pay N70,250 or less, adding that the other sectorial salaries will be affected accordingly.

He also mentioned that the government has graciously approved the submission of labour that the new basic salary should not be taxed.

In the same vein, Comrade Akeem Lasisi of the TUC and his counterpart, Comrade Isa Olude of the JNC, commended the government for being worker-friendly, while they noted that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other matters will be announced after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

In his reaction, Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, said the approval of the generous minimum wage for workers underscores the responsiveness and sensitivity of the Governor and the government to the plight of the workers and the general populace of the state.

Onasanya expressed optimism that the gestures by the government will further boost the morale of the workers in committing themselves to the implementation of the government’s policies.

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October 14, 2024 0 comment 25 views

Aiyedatiwa’s N73,000 minimum wage, Greek gift, bait

by admin October 13, 2024

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday described the newly approved minimum wage announced by the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as a Greek gift and a bait to entice the civil servants and the people of the state.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the campaign organisation, Ayo Fadaka, saying the new increment of salary by Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is designed to hoodwink the people of the state to vote for him in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial poll.

Fadaka, who admonished the civil servants not to be dissuaded by the meagre increase in their emoluments, urged the people of the state not to be carried away with the bait.

It will be recalled that Governor Aiyedatiwa on Saturday announced the implementation of a N73,000 minimum wage for workers during the flag-off of the Ondo central senatorial district ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state.

The governor said even though the federal government approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage, the state would go a step further by paying N73,000 to its workers.

According to Fadaka, announcing increments on a campaign podium was a brazen display of desperation and an attempt to seek favour with the electorate, describing the Aiyedatiwa administration as a colossal failure in all sectors.

He said, “A leader who genuinely cares about the welfare of his people would have long since addressed the root causes of Ondo State’s challenges: poverty, unemployment, and the decay of essential services.

“His administration has been defined by neglect, indifference, and a stark lack of empathy for the plight of the common man; rather than champion sustainable development and meaningful progress, he has opted to dangle this meagre wage increase as a political carrot, a last-ditch effort to manipulate and hoodwink the electorate in pursuit of his selfish political survival.

“What makes Aiyedatiwa’s actions particularly unacceptable is the timing of this so-called wage hike. After months of inertia and complete disregard for the struggles of the workers who keep the state functioning, this insulting small increase is now paraded as an act of benevolence.

“The reality, however, is as clear as day: this cynical strategy is designed not to improve the lives of the hard-working people of Ondo State but to salvage the political ambitions of a governor who has failed them at every turn.

“While Aiyedatiwa attempts to use this meagre raise as political bait, the grim truth remains unchanged. The state’s healthcare system is in disarray, educational institutions are crumbling, and infrastructure is in a state of collapse. His administration has failed to invest in the future of Ondo State, preferring instead to offer empty promises and engage in grandstanding, all while the people he is supposed to serve continue to bear the brunt of his failures.

“A truly compassionate and visionary leader would have embraced a comprehensive approach, implementing meaningful wage reforms as part of a broader strategy to uplift the living standards of the people.

“But Aiyedatiwa’s wickedness is evident in his blatant disregard for the real issues confronting Ondo State; his selfishness shines through in his refusal to tackle the systemic problems his administration has created, choosing instead to insult the intelligence of the electorate with a meagre ₦3,000 increment, an afterthought that does nothing to alleviate the struggles of the people.

“The people of Ondo State deserve a leader who prioritises their welfare over personal gain, one who enacts policies driven by genuine concern, not political expediency.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa has proven himself to be anything but that. This ill-timed wage increase is yet another act of deceit from a governor whose leadership has been marked by irresponsibility and a relentless pursuit of self-interest. His actions are a stark reminder of his callous and self-serving approach to governance, leaving the people of Ondo State to demand the better leadership they rightfully deserve.

“It is disrespectful to announce the new minimum wage of dignified and decorous Ondo State Workers on the podium of the electioneering campaign, thereby politicising the welfare and well-being of the State Civil Service to gain undue political mileage in the forthcoming gubernatorial election slated for November 16.

“Here is a man who has promised to pay the leave bonus for Ondo State workers for the past two months but to no avail. Some people might argue that a leave bonus is not the exclusive right of civil servants, but integrity matters in everything we do in this life. As governor, if you know you won’t do something, don’t promise it!

“The teeming civil servants in Ondo State see this latest promise about a new minimum wage increment as another Greek gift to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the Ondo State civil service into voting for him.

“The timing is ill-conceived, and nobody is going to take him seriously because he has deceived the civil service once, and they won’t allow him to deceive them one more time—once bitten, twice shy!

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October 13, 2024 0 comment 23 views

FG explains minimum wage July 29 backpay

by admin September 25, 2024

The Federal Government through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has stated that the payment of the new minimum wage will commence from July 2024.

The NSIWC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, said this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

The commission stated that this was because the date in question was when the President approved the bill after the National Assembly passed it.

The development is contrary to an earlier statement by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, that the payment would commence on May 1, 2024.

It also means that the government would only pay an arrears of two months only if it begins payment by the end of October.

This was as it announced the approval of the revision of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and other salary structures.

Last week, the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants met on Friday as regards the new minimum wage template and agreed that the effective date for implementation of the new minimum wage be set at July 29, 2024.

The committee also recommended that the wage award which was discontinued by the government should also be paid up till July 28, 2024.

The committee headed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, noted that the government took note of the economic situation in the country before it took its decisions.

But reacting in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the Head of Information of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Benson Upah, faulted the decision of the government, describing it as unacceptable.

“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.

However, giving reasons for the change at the press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the NSIWC chairman said, “The President has approved the revision of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure with effect from July 29, 2024.

“The commission wishes to clarify that the effective date for the commencement of the National Minimum Wage is the 29th of July, 2024 as that was the day Mr President assented to the act after the bill was forwarded to him by the National Assembly.”

He added that any federal public service, whether self-funded or treasury funded that had not received a circular to this effect, specifically from the NSIWC, should contact it for further directives.

Nta said, “This is to avoid an uncoordinated implementation which tends to destroy the existing salary relativities in the federal public service.”

He said that NSIWC would issue further directives on how pensioners, NYSC members and interns would benefit from the implementation.

The chairman listed other revised templates to include Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II.

He said others were: The Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure, Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

Nta named others to include: Consolidated Health Salary Structure, Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure and Consolidated Police Salary Structure.

The rest were: Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure.

“This is consequent to the enactment of the NSIWC Amendment Act 2024 and the Memorandum of Understanding reached by the committee on consequential adjustments in salaries arising from the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024.

”Between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Trade Union sides of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council Sept. 20,” Nta concluded.

September 25, 2024 0 comment 13 views

Labour kicks as FG backdates minimum wage implementation to July

by admin September 21, 2024

The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants met on Friday as regards the new minimum wage template and agreed that the effective date for implementation of new minimum wage be set at July 29,2024.

This is according to a Memorandum of Understanding issued at the end of the meeting which was sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.

The Committee also recommended that the wage award which was discontinued by the government should also be paid up till July 28,2024.

The Committee headed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack noted that the government took note of the economic situation in the country before it took 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.”

But reacting in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the Head of Information of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Benson Upah, faulted the decision of the government, describing it as unacceptable.

“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.

“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.

In the meantime, some civil servants have lamented the delay in the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage.

Some of them, who spoke to our correspondent in Ogun State on Friday, said that the delay underscored the insensitivity and the long term “I don’t care attitude” of the government to the suffering of the people.

A single mother of three and teacher in one the public schools in the state, who identified herself as Ms Oladele, said that her family had been surviving the increasing economic hardship miraculously.

“It’s height of wickedness on the part of the government to have refused to do something meaningful since last year when it removed subsidy from petrol and also floated the naira which comes with the attendant increase in prices of everything,” she stated.

Another worker identified simply as Adesola also berated the government for looking the other way while many Nigerians battled with the economic hardship.

Adesola said, “It is just so sad that the government has continued to foot-drag on the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage which is generally considered too meagre for the inflation ridden economy.”

A civil servant, who works with the Ministry of Water Resources in Osun State, said the new wage implementation delay amounts to shortchanging the workers.

The staff, who pleaded anonymity to avoid being punished by the ministry, said the delayed implementation had made the poor poorer.

He said, “Federal Government caused this problem. It has kept increasing prices of fuel while nothing serious is being done regarding implementation of the new minimum wage.”

A staff of the National Identity Management Commission, who gave his name as Oyas in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said life is no longer what it used to be especially with the high cost of fuel.

He said, “The salary is nothing to write home about because of the price of fuel. As I talk with you now I have packed my vehicle for sometimes to be using public transport. The announcement of the minimum wage have increased price of commodities.”

September 21, 2024 0 comment 16 views

N70,000 minimum wage: How Tinubu betrayed labour using fuel price

by admin September 20, 2024

The Nigeria Labour Congress said on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu betrayed organised labour, using the price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly called petrol, as bait.

The organised labour stated that at the negotiation which informed the acceptance of N70,000 by the organised labour, President Tinubu offered the option not to increase the petrol price.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said this during the opening of a two-day workshop in Lagos titled “Minimum Wage Implementation Workshop, Southern Zone.”

Ajaero said there were attempts to distract the attention of the labour movement with allegations of “cybercrime, financing terrorism, sponsoring terrorism and the rest.”

Ajaero noted that the current cost of petrol has undermined the benefits of the yet-to-be-implemented N70,000 national minimum wage, urging the government to urgently address the pressing issues of hunger, poverty, and frustration affecting Nigerians.

Ajaero recounted discussions with President Tinubu before the acceptance of the N70,000 minimum wage, stating that during negotiations, President Tinubu offered the option of accepting the N70,000 wage without further increase in fuel prices.

He added that alternatively, the president had given them a choice between accepting a higher wage of N250,000 and an increase in the pump price of fuel.

Ajaero said the labour movement opted for the choice of N70,000 considering the plight that further increases in fuel price would have on the masses should labour settle for a wage of N250,000.

“There is a tactic to distract our attention, to call us names, level allegations against us over cybercrime, financing terrorism, sponsoring terrorism and the rest.

“Those things have paid off because while we are facing those allegations, this issue of pump price has remained.

“I repeat, we were betrayed by Mr President, That statement we issued over our being betrayed is being denied by officials of the government. I am repeating it that we were betrayed. Some of you here were at the meeting when Mr President said, Ajaero you are the problem,” he said.

Ajaero quoted President Tinubu to have said “Since we said subsidy is gone. You don’t want to allow us to increase again. If you allow me to increase we will pay you that N250, 000.”

He continued “The president said I am giving you one hour to decide on this and get back to me. He said he was going back to his office and we should decide over this (between N250,000 minimum wage and petrol pump price hike).

“We said no sir, Mr President; we can’t be holding our meeting here in your office. Let us take one one-week break and come back and report back to you.

“He said okay, I am travelling but I will cancel my trip for one week. That was how we adjourned for one week.

“If you followed the trend of those negotiations, we adjourned for one week. And when we came back after consultations, we said to Mr President, no, we can’t allow you to increase to any length because that will affect all Nigerians and we will be seen to be selfish.”

“Even the N250,000 will not be useful to us. If we continue to increase salaries, it will make a mess of our economy and then you continue to increase pump price. In fact, that N250,000 may not be enough to even buy fuel.”

He added that “Mr President equally offered to fund our trip to tour some West African countries, where the lowest price of petrol is selling at N1,700. He even said in Cameroon, they are selling N2,000 and that none of them has a refinery but they are getting their products from Nigeria.

“We responded by telling him to check the borders because that is why they are smuggling those products to those countries. We equally said no because Nigerians will say they have given us money; they won’t say it’s money for us to visit those West African states.”

Ajaero said that on the adjourned date, they “went there and told Mr President, we are not here for increase in pump price or negotiation. So let’s concentrate on the minimum wage. Some of these things informed the acceptance of N70,000 minimum wage which some of us here were saying was not enough. But some people are still saying they cannot pay that N70,000.

“This is the dilemma all of us are facing. In fact, the private sector employers in our meeting gave us a tough time. They refused to shift and they wanted to vote with state government, Federal government and the private sector on one side, all against labour on the other side. These were some of the things that necessitated all those walkouts you saw.”

September 20, 2024 0 comment 15 views

27 states, FCT yet to set up minimum wage panels

by admin August 11, 2024

Twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory have yet to set up committees to implement the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage.

The states are Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Benue, Enugu, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, Enugu, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Cross River and Yobe.

However, seven other states — Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia — have set up implementation committees. Only Lagos and Edo claimed to have started paying the minimum wage.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage into law on July 29, 2024, after meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

Lagos, Edo

Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state had been paying more than the minimum wage before it was passed into law.

He said, “When you look at the minimum wage that was paid in Lagos before, the least state worker earned about N77,000. So, if they said the minimum wage is now N70,000, we have no problem with it at all because Lagos has been paying more than that, and we will continue to pay.”

The Edo State Government also said it had started paying the minimum wage.

Kwara, Kano, others set up committees

On August 1, 2024, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, set up an 18-member tripartite committee to work out modalities for the new minimum wage payment.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the committee, comprising representatives from the state government, labour unions, and the Organised Private Sector, had started meeting.

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano also set up an advisory committee on the new minimum wage, while the Jigawa State Government set up a 10-man minimum wage committee on Thursday, August 8.

Similarly, the Borno State Government recently inaugurated a 22-member panel, while the Ondo State government said its committee on the new minimum wage was working hard to ensure its implementation.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, also said the state set up a committee a few months ago to advise the government on the matter.

He said, “Oyo State government set up a committee a few months ago, comprising labour stakeholders and government officials, to advise on the implementation of the minimum wage.”

The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Friday, said the state set up a committee before the Federal Government signed the bill into law.

“We are making provisions for the salary increase in line with the new minimum wage,” he added.

We can’t pay – Gombe, Kogi

However, the Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, said the lean allocation to the state would make it difficult for him to pay the new wage.

Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with stakeholders on the nationwide protest, ‘#EndBadGovernance, Yahaya said, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”

Similarly, the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Ashiwaju Ashiru Idris, said no date had been fixed for the implementation of the minimum wage by the state.

Responding to our correspondent’s inquiry, the commissioner said he had no information about when the state would commence payment.

We’ll negotiate – Plateau, Kebbi

Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, however, said the government would make its position known on the matter after negotiating with organised labour.

The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, also said his administration was ready to have a fruitful discussion with the state union leader on the new minimum wage.

His Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, while speaking with one of our correspondents on the telephone, said, “By the grace of God, our governor will sit with the labour union and come out with modalities to ensure that he puts a smile on the faces of the civil servants.”

During a recent town hall meeting on the nationwide protest, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, also promised to pay the new minimum wage.

He said, “On our part, I want to assure you that the Sokoto State Government is ready to implement the new National minimum wage as approved by Mr. President. Undoubtedly, our country is facing quite a number of challenges that include economic downturn, inflation, cost of living, as well as insecurity, among other challenges.”

Speaking with our correspondent in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, explained that the state government had rolled out plans to begin the payment.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State governor, Daniel Alabrah, also told our correspondent on Thursday in Yenagoa that Governor Douye Diri had earlier in the year, during the Workers’ Day celebrations, declared that the state would pay any amount agreed upon by the Federal Government and labour.

But he pointed out that the state government may not pay any arrears because the new minimum wage bill was only recently signed into law by the president.

We’ll set up committee soon – Osun, Delta, Benue

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the spokesperson for the Osun State Governor, Rasheed Olawale, said a committee for the implementation of the minimum wage would be set up next week.

He said, “Mr Governor has before now said Osun will pay the minimum wage as he is committed to the welfare of the workers and the people generally. A committee on the implementation of the minimum wage will be set up next week. We are committed to it.”

The Delta State Government also said it would set up a committee for the new minimum wage.

The state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue also said that his administration would pay the new minimum wage, and block every leakage to ensure its smooth implementation.

Additional reports: Chima Azubuike, Gbenga Odogun, Matthew Ochei, Tunde Oyekola, John Charles, Samuel Eze, Tukur Muntari, James Abraham, Animasahun Collins Agwan, Abiodun Nejo, Raphael Ede, and Maiharaji Altine, and Daniel Ayantoye.

August 11, 2024 0 comment 11 views

Minimum Wage And State Governments

by admin August 4, 2024

On Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Bill 2024 into law, which the National Assembly had speedily passed last week. That ended the process that started when the federal government set up a Tripartite Committee with a mandate to arrive at a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The committee, which was inaugurated on January 30, 2024, comprised representatives of the federal and state governments, the private sector, and organised labour, and was headed by a former head of the service of the federation, Bukar Goni Aji.

After a series of negotiations, the parties agreed on N70,000 as the new national minimum wage for the least-paid worker in Nigeria. A boost to the agreement is that the period for minimum wage renegotiation was reduced from five to three years.

Nevertheless, the new minimum wage is a steep climb down from the N615,000 a month that Labour had first proposed. It benchmarked it on relevant economic indices before coming down to N500,000 and then N250,000.

On its side, the federal government had gradually come up from its first proposal of N45,000 before going up to N62,000. While many are relieved that the drawn-out exchange between government and Labour over the minimum wage issue has come to a conclusion, not a few have expressed misgivings that N70,000 is not enough to sustain a worker for a month in Nigeria, going by the prevalent inflationary trend which has placed the price of food items, transportation, and other services beyond the reach of most Nigerians. Symbolically, the minimum wage cannot buy a bag of rice, let alone a bag of beans.
At N70,000 (or $44), Nigeria’s minimum wage is one of the lowest in Africa. Seychelles has the highest, with a minimum wage of $465.4 (or N773,061.98) a month. In West Africa, Equatorial Guinea pays $211.54 (or N351,382.75) to the least-paid formal worker.

After the presidential assent, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reiterated his earlier assertion that the agreed sum is not only for federal public servants but the least that any Nigerian worker should be paid, including domestic staff like drivers, cleaners, and housemaids.

Akpabio’s explanation means that the federal lawmakers had amended the provision in the repealed Minimum Wage Law of 2019, which restricted the minimum wage applicable to organisations with at least 25 workers and excluded seasonal and part-time workers.

One of the recommendations of the tripartite committee restricts the minimum wage observance to organisations with 10 workers and above. For a law that is hardly justiciable, it will be interesting to see how domestic staff can successfully demand to be paid the minimum wage by their employers, including those who themselves may be receiving minimum wage.

Also, in a country with weak institutions like Nigeria, such a category of workers who mostly do not belong to trade unions hardly has anybody to fight their cause.

However, a sticking point during the minimum wage negotiations is the private sector segment, which said its members would need federal government support to pay the stipulated wage and the state governors who, it was believed, had argued for a lower wage benchmark.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared his desire to pay workers a living wage to afford a decent living condition; however, the reported objection of state governors meant that what was agreed fell far below expectation.

Now that this wage figure has been agreed upon and signed into law, it behooves all levels of government – federal, state, and local – to ensure the full implementation of the new national minimum wage and private sector organisations that fall within the salary belt.

As a newspaper, we enjoin particularly state governors to ensure that they comply with the new wage law.

Richer state governments should pay more. They must treat this wage law with the seriousness it deserves. Hence, we call for a departure from the past in which many of the state governors failed to implement the N30,000 minimum wage law approved in 2019 despite the gradual erosion of the purchasing power of the workers’ salaries over the last few years.

In our opinion, the Tinubu government must devise a way, if possible, to compel state governors to pay the new minimum wage. Over the years, they have shown a proclivity to amass stupendous wealth from state resources and waste huge funds on white elephant projects that have no bearing on the wellbeing of their subjects, yet when it comes to paying salaries, they come up with all manner of excuses. That shall no longer be tolerated.

August 4, 2024 0 comment 9 views