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Tag: Wage

  • Wage negotiation: Labour pull out unfortunate, should return — NECA

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged organised labour to return to the negotiation table on the planned minimum wage review.

     

     

    NECA’s appeal came following the decision of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Wednesday, in Abuja, to pull out of the National Minimum Wage Committee.

     

     

    The development came after representatives of  government and the organised private sector made an offer of N48,000 and N54,000 wage respectively.

     

     

    The two labour centres had earlier proposed a sum of N615,000 minimum wage for federal workers, giving evidence and data  to substantiate their proposal.

     

     

    Reacting, the Director-General, NECA, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, in a statement issued on Wednesday, in Lagos,  described labour’s pull out as unfortunate.

     

     

    Oyerinde urged labour to reconsider its position and return to the negotiation table in the interest of its members and national development.

     

     

    “As it is seen globally, a major feature of all negotiations is for all parties to present their opening positions, which was done by all social partners.

     

     

    ‘’The expected follow-up action is the actual negotiation with attendant counter-negotiations, alignment and realignment of positions among others.

     

     

    “The action of labour to walk out, even when negotiation has not started, even when it is within its right to do so, has the potential to delay the assignment of the minimum wage committee, ” he said.

     

     

    Oyerinde said that the organised private sector remained absolutely committed to the review of the current national minimum wage,  to a new one that was fair and sustainable.

     

     

    He said that it was for one which took  due cognisance of the country’s  current economic situation.

  • FG to introduce wage system for workers

    The Federal Government is formulating an innovative wage system that would be based on employee’s productivity, Dr Nasir Raji-Mustapha, Director-General, National Productivity Centre (NPC), said on Monday in Abuja.
    He said this during an interactive session with Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria (LACAN).
    “We are in the process of developing a Productivity-based Wage System that will ensure that those who are productive are rewarded for their effort, irrespective of their grade level.
    “Under the proposed system, employees on the same salary scale can earn different wages,” he said.
    He, however, said that the centre was collaborating with the  organised labour to ensure that they support and contribute their inputs to the new proposal for a productivity-led wage system.
    He  said that the report for the first phase of the study was ready, adding that the next stage would be to engage  stakeholders to consider and make inputs before  presentation to the federal government for its consideration and  adoption.
    He said  the centre was collaborating with international agencies and organisations to ensure that productivity and skills of Nigerian workers are greatly improved to impact positively on the economy.
    He  said that productivity was a key factor in the growth of the country’s economy.
    Raji-Mustapha  said that the centre had done a lot in the area of productivity promotion and advocacy for youths, especially the  Corp members at the NYSC camps.
    The DG added that the NPC has resucitated preaching and promoting productivity at the NYSC camps.
    He  said the centre  has improved on its innovative “Productivity Lecture series for the Ministries and Departments and Agencies (MDAs)”.
    Mr Patrick Abulu, Acting Chairman of the association,  urged the DG   to continue to support journalists to make  their jobs  easy in reporting actvities of the Centre.

  • Anglican Primate calls for end to siege of wickedness plaguing Nigeria

    By Philomina Attah, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA 
    The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has called for an end to the siege of wickedness plaguing Nigeria.
    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the cleric likened Nigeria’s current state to a nation under siege, facing security challenges, economic turmoil, and spiritual and socio-political crises.
    He stressed the need for divine intervention to address the spiritual, financial, economic, social, political, and moral challenges facing the nation.
    The Primate explained that the siege upon Nigeria must come to an end, expressing hope for a restored and purposeful nation, adding that he was confident in God’s ability to heal and restore Nigeria.
    “Nigeria is like a nation that is under siege, security wise, we are dehumanised. When you look around and see the attacks in our villages and in communities, especially by different groups.
    “And some of these groups may not have based in Nigeria. They may be neighbouring countries or people from other countries coming into our nation to vandalise our people.
    “But apart from that, there are also some elements within us who are aiding and abetting. And therefore the situation in which we live is like a siege, where you cannot travel freely, where you cannot be assured of what would happen the next minute,  then we are under siege,” he said.
    The primate, therefore, called on Nigerians to trust in God’s promises and work towards a better future, adding that “there is hope for the nation.”
    The Primate highlighted ongoing efforts by the Anglican Church to help the government in alleviating the suffering of the Church, which included healthcare initiatives and programmes such as  combating drug addiction, domestic violence, and empowering youth and communities.
    Speaking on the upcoming synod of the diocese of Abuja starting May 9, Ndukuba emphasised its significance.
    “It is worthy to note that we shall be holding our second session of the 12th Synod of the diocese of Abuja. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the diocese, and it will be celebrated in November.”
    The Primate highlighted the synod’s role in defining the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion as “episcopally led, but synodically governed,” where delegates meet annually over three years, with each year constituting a session.
    Drawing from Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15, he described the synod as a platform for prayer, discussion of church and national issues, decision-making, and accountability.
    “And the idea of having a church synod is what we have taken from the scriptures, the meeting of God’s people to pray, discuss issues that concern the church and the nation.
    “It is also a time to offer the bishop and the leadership of the diocese to account, to talk to the people, to present the account of their stewardship. It is also an opportunity for the diocese to take decisions as to what to do and what not to do.
    “So, we will be meeting under the guidance of God, as the church met in acts of the apostles, chapter 15, and took decisions that helped the church in the spread of the gospel, in nurturing the members and in building up the people of God,” he added.
    The Anglican Primate also urged the government at all levels to prioritise the minimum wage and put workers’ welfare first, noting the hardship Nigerians were currently facing. (NAN)

  • BREAKING: FG meets organised labour to consider proposals for new minimum wage

     

    The meeting which is to take place at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will be attended by the government representatives on Tripartite committee on new minimum wage only.

    The purpose of the meeting is to deliberate and agree on government position on the new minimum wage which will be presented at the next meeting of the Committee.

    At the meeting summoned by the SGF today, the government side is expected to consider all positions including that of the governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum before arriving at a middle ground.

    A source at the SGF office, said from all indications, the federal government might consider amounts ranging N150,000 to N200,000 as the template for further negotiation.

  • NLC stages protest in Osun, blocking vehicular movement in Osogbo 

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), its affiliates  and some civil society groups in Osun on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo against the rising cost of commodities in the country.

    The protesters who carried placards with various inscriptions like , Nigerians are hungry, say no to Naira devaluation and others, converged at Osogbo Freedom Park before matching to Olaiya Junction were they stopped vehicular movements.

    Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the protest,  Mr Christopher Arapasopo,  Osun State NLC Chairman,  said the protest was in conformation with the directive of the nation body of the union.

    Arapasopo said there is need for the Federal Government to come to the aid of Nigerians as a lot of people are dying from hunger.

    He said during the election campaign,  the president promised a better life and better Nigeria, but the people are not experiencing it.

    “Nigerians are dying, Nigerians are suffering. We can’t afford to buy a carton of Indomie noodles in the market.

    “Inflation is affecting virtually everything in the market.

    “Government should come to our aid and also honour the agreement signed with organised labour.” he said

    Also speaking, Mr Kehinde Ogungangbe, President, Osun National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) also send plea to the president to come to the aid of Nigerians.

    Ogungbangbe said workers and Nigerians are hungry and that the hardship is terrible in the country.

    He said the protest is to let the world know that things are not going well with Nigerians.

    According to reports, security agents including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were on ground to ensure the was no breakdown of law and order.

    Businesses, shops, banks and markets were equally in operation as the protest did not disrupt business activities in the state capital.

  • FG to discuss new minimum wage with labour in March – information minister

     

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government will begin discussion of the new minimum wage with labour in March.
    Idris stated this during his remark at the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue and presentation of 2023 African Award of the year on Thursday in Abuja.
    The dialogue, with the theme “Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers”, was organised by the Media Trust Group.
    According to Idris, when the Fuel Subsidy was removed, President Bola Tinubu initially promised to pay N25,000 wage award to workers to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
    “But labour was not comfortable. We entered into negotiation with the Labour and after long discussion with them and President Tinubu, we arrived and agreed at N35,000 which was accepted.
    “And the President said the N35,000 will be paid for six months to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. That would be from September 2023 to February 2024.
    “So after the payment of wage award for six months; in March, the government and labour will come together again to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers.
    “However, it is important for Nigerians to understand the intention of Tinubu to address the welfare and wellbeing of all Nigerians. I know it is not easy but Nigerians will be better for it.
    “I want to call on Nigerians to give President Tinubu the time to make things right for the country,” Idris stressed. (NAN)

  • FG to discuss new minimum Wage with Labour in March – Information Minister

     

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government will begin discussion of the new minimum wage with labour in March.
    Idris stated this during his remark at the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue and presentation of 2023 African Award of the year on Thursday in Abuja.
    The dialogue, with the theme “Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers”, was organised by the Media Trust Group.
    According to Idris, when the Fuel Subsidy was removed, President Bola Tinubu initially promised to pay N25,000 wage award to workers to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
    “But labour was not comfortable. We entered into negotiation with the Labour and after long discussion with them and President Tinubu, we arrived and agreed at N35,000 which was accepted.
    “And the President said the N35,000 will be paid for six months to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. That would be from September 2023 to February 2024.
    “So after the payment of wage award for six months; in March, the government and labour will come together again to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers.
    “However, it is important for Nigerians to understand the intention of Tinubu to address the welfare and wellbeing of all Nigerians. I know it is not easy but Nigerians will be better for it.
    “I want to call on Nigerians to give President Tinubu the time to make things right for the country,” Idris stressed. (NAN)

  • 2024 Budget: NASS slashes minimum wage allocation by 45% 

    The National Assembly has reduced the allocation for minimum wage and salary-related payments for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by 45% in the approved 2024 budget.
    President Bola Tinubu initially proposed a budget of N1 trillion for Public Service Wage Adjustment for MDAS (including Arrears of Promotion and Salary Increases & Payment of Severance benefits and Minimum Wage Related Adjustments).
    However, the approved budget by the National Assembly, now signed by the president, reflects a significant reduction to N550 billion for the same fiscal item, indicating a decrease of N450 billion from the proposed amount.
    The Nigerian Government earlier announced a revised minimum wage to be implemented starting April 1, 2024. The existing minimum wage of N30,000 is slated to end by March 2024.
    Idris Mohammed, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, revealed that a new wage regime would come into effect on April 1, 2024. The government is in talks with labour to constitute a committee to work on the new wage structure.
    He said:
    “Certainly, there Is a new wage regime that will come in on April 1, 2024. That is why these palliatives were targeted so they would cushion economic hardship before then. In our negotiation with Labour, we said that the wage issue was not something one could just fix. A committee that will also involve Labour itself will work on it.
    “The committee is being constituted and we are talking to Labour about it. And by the time this current wage regime expires by the end of March, we will expect that a new wage will begin by April.
    “It is in this wage regime that we will now have a proper salary structure for workers across the length and breadth of Nigeria. We expect that the private sector and state governors will also do the same.”
    Also, President Bola Tinubu expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to implement a new national living wage for workers in 2024, emphasizing that it is both economically and morally necessary in a New Year message on Monday in Lagos.
    Tinubu said:
    “We will work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government.
    “The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected.
    “It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year.
    “It is not only good economics to do this; it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.
    “Having laid the groundwork of our economic recovery plans within the last seven months of 2023, we are now poised to accelerate the pace of our service delivery across sectors.’’
    Yet, this reduction in the budget for wage-related payments marks the second instance of such cuts, with the government previously slashing the supplementary budgetary allocation for wage awards to federal civil servants by N100 billion.
    The reasons behind the decision to cut the allocation for wage awards remain unclear, particularly amid challenges faced by federal workers due to policies such as fuel subsidy removal.
    The move by the National Assembly to reduce the allocation for minimum wage-related expenditures raises questions about the potential impact on workers and their economic well-being, especially in the context of ongoing economic challenges.

  • 2024 Budget: NASS slashes minimum wage allocation by 45% 

    The National Assembly has reduced the allocation for minimum wage and salary-related payments for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by 45% in the approved 2024 budget.
    President Bola Tinubu initially proposed a budget of N1 trillion for Public Service Wage Adjustment for MDAS (including Arrears of Promotion and Salary Increases & Payment of Severance benefits and Minimum Wage Related Adjustments).
    However, the approved budget by the National Assembly, now signed by the president, reflects a significant reduction to N550 billion for the same fiscal item, indicating a decrease of N450 billion from the proposed amount.
    The Nigerian Government earlier announced a revised minimum wage to be implemented starting April 1, 2024. The existing minimum wage of N30,000 is slated to end by March 2024.
    Idris Mohammed, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, revealed that a new wage regime would come into effect on April 1, 2024. The government is in talks with labour to constitute a committee to work on the new wage structure.
    He said:
    “Certainly, there Is a new wage regime that will come in on April 1, 2024. That is why these palliatives were targeted so they would cushion economic hardship before then. In our negotiation with Labour, we said that the wage issue was not something one could just fix. A committee that will also involve Labour itself will work on it.
    “The committee is being constituted and we are talking to Labour about it. And by the time this current wage regime expires by the end of March, we will expect that a new wage will begin by April.
    “It is in this wage regime that we will now have a proper salary structure for workers across the length and breadth of Nigeria. We expect that the private sector and state governors will also do the same.”
    Also, President Bola Tinubu expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to implement a new national living wage for workers in 2024, emphasizing that it is both economically and morally necessary in a New Year message on Monday in Lagos.
    Tinubu said:
    “We will work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government.
    “The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected.
    “It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year.
    “It is not only good economics to do this; it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.
    “Having laid the groundwork of our economic recovery plans within the last seven months of 2023, we are now poised to accelerate the pace of our service delivery across sectors.’’
    Yet, this reduction in the budget for wage-related payments marks the second instance of such cuts, with the government previously slashing the supplementary budgetary allocation for wage awards to federal civil servants by N100 billion.
    The reasons behind the decision to cut the allocation for wage awards remain unclear, particularly amid challenges faced by federal workers due to policies such as fuel subsidy removal.
    The move by the National Assembly to reduce the allocation for minimum wage-related expenditures raises questions about the potential impact on workers and their economic well-being, especially in the context of ongoing economic challenges.

  • Broadcast: Aremu hails Tinubu on new minimum wage

    Mr Issa Aremu, the Director-General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for the “categorical presidential commitment” to a new national minimum and living wage in 2024.

    In his reaction to the New Year broadcast of the president in a statement he issued on Monday in Ilorin, Aremu commended Tinubu for his commitment to wage-led growth strategy, economic recovery and poverty eradication through payment of adequate living wages in 2024.

    He noted that in the president’s New Year address to the nation, Tinubu disclosed that “material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected”.

    He lauded the initiative of the president to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers of Nigeria.

    According director-generals on point to declare wage improvement as “not only good economics” but as “a morally and politically correct thing to do”.

    The director-general called on states and local government councils, employers of labour and organised labour to align with the vision of Tinubu in making 2024 a year of mass secured, productive, decent work in conditions of human dignity.

    This, he said, also included healthy environment, with negotiated adequate promptly paid minimum and living wages.

    He decried what he called a state of total collapse of wage income due to low devalued and delayed salary payment that has turned workers into what he called “ working beggars” as distinct from “dignified value adding work force”.

    Aremu stressed that 2024 expected tripartite wage negotiations would be the 6th of such national minimum wage review since 1981 (N125); 1990 (N250); 2000 (N5,500); 2011 (N18,000) and 2018 (N30,000).

    He noted that it was remarkable that the president commendably acknowledged the reality of high costs of living and inflation caused by inevitable petroleum subsidy removal.

    He added that the president has rightly set the stage for robust constructive collective bargaining for new wage review in line with Nigeria’s labour laws and relevant conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    The director-general observed that the pronouncement on wage improvement further pointed to Tinubu’s labour-friendly disposition dated to his presidential campaign council in which he dedicated a Directorate to labour, the only Presidential candidate to do so.

    He pointed out that the bane of Nigeria’s development process involved recent times was non-appreciation of human resources as the critical factor of sustainable national development.

    “Labour truly creates national wealth but labour must be promptly well paid, motivated, assured of income security after retirement as well as disciplined and skilled through training and retraining,” he said.

    He submitted that the success of the Renewed Hope 8-point Agenda dealing with poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation and fighting corruption depend on motivated millions of workers in formal and informal sectors, private and public sectors.

    Aremu also commended the 10th National Assembly leadership for improving on the budget of the “premier Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment”.

    He added that budgetary allocations must tally with the vision of the President on combating the scourge of youth unemployment and under-employment.

    The director-general also commended the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for her bold sanctions against private companies and employers that disregarded occupational health and safety standards of workers in the world of work in 2023.

    He therefore promised labour education on occupational health and safely in MINILS 2024 training calendar.