…Levels 15-17 Gets (14%) Increase, 10-14 (16%) Raise, Others
Williams Anuku Abuja
Organised labour and the Federal government finally came to an agreement on percentage increase necessary to effect implementation of the new national minimum wage across board.
In the consequential adjustments agreed upon, workers on grade levels 07 will henceforth receive a 23.2percent increase in their salaries, staff on grade 08 will get 20percent increase, 09, 19percent, between 10-14 will are expecting a raise of 16percent while levels 15-17 will get 14percent respectively.
The new benchmarks was sequel to days of meeting between officials of government and labour leaders, who had to spend painstaking nights to arrive at the payment index.
Before the stakeholders reconvened on Thursday night by 8pm,Minister of Labour and Employmenet, Chris Ngige prevailed on others negotiations on the consequential adjustment for the full implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage to workers must be concluded.
All parties to the discussion however came to a compromise after they had shifted ground on their earlier positions.
Ngige said: “We have often repeated that the essence of that law was for the president to lift the vulnerable working force both in the private and public service. This is a national law and it must be obeyed by all, state government, local government and all persons concerned that employ more than 25 percent in their organisation.
“We have decided to fast tract discussions. We are fast tracking it because we need to put an end to the issue of minimum wage till the next five year when it will arise again.
“We need to finalise this today. The suspense is too much for the people. Even your constituency- workers, if we don’t conclude today, they will be thinking otherwise. They will start thinking that you have been compromised. Even the government side, if we don’t conclude today, they will start saying you people are influencing us.
“This negotiation should be, in the spirit of give and take, in the spirit of one nation, end this thing. If we decide to empty the purse so that the nation will go broke, it will affect all of us. If we do give and take, look at government purse and know that this purse has been badly depleted, make some concession, it will be in the interest of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC commended the Federal Government and organised labour for their patience while the negotiations lasted.
The leadership of the Labour Centre added that although it was a rough road but they are happy that an agreement has finally been signed.
President of the Congress, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said it was not an easy journey, but it is now over, adding that government’s team should be appreciated for their wisdom and sincerity.
“We commend the Head of Service of the federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan and her team for their sincerity. Though they argued that government cannot afford to meet our earlier demand of N30, 000 minimum wage across board because of the economic situation in the country, but we made them understand that some people cannot be more Nigerian than others. If we are tightening our belts, government should also do so.”
By the agreement reached, the core civil servants:- GL 7 (23.2%), GL 8 -(20%), GL 9 – (19%), GL 10-14 – (16%) and GL 15-17 (14%).
Others, GL -7 (23.2%) like above; 8-14 shall earn (16%) and 15-17 (10.5).
As an organization and a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project we believe that the parties have done well. We shifted grounds and that is why we were able to resolve things without major injuries. It is a win win situation.
The TUC boss said he is particularly happy with the agreement because it has addressed some salary discrepancies and overlapping that the workers have agitated so much about.
“This is a unique agreement and we promise to build on that by God’s grace,” he added.
