After a reconvened meeting that lasted three consecutive days, the Federal Government and the Labour Unions in the early hours of Friday reached an agreement on the consequential adjustments of N30,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, who read a communique signed by the stakeholders at the end of the meeting at about 3:00 am on Friday, said that by the agreement reached, the Group 1- that is core civil servants( CONPSS), GL 7 have a consequential adjustment of 23.2%, GL 8-20%, G9-19%, GL10-14 have 16% and GL 15-17 have increase of 14%.
For the second Group; CONHESS, CONRAISS, CONTISS ll and others: GL 7 have an increase of 23.2%, 8-14 shall earn 16% and 15-17 have an increase of 10.5 %
The Minister noted that enforcement of payment of the minimum wage signed into law on April 18, 2019, by President Muhammadu Buhari, will be done immediately and tasked all stakeholders to comply with the new minimum wage.
“The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment through our inspectors in the field, the National Salaries and Income and Wages Commission will have the right to help in the enforcement. The labour unions themselves can approach the National Industrial Court on the matter, so we expect every employer of labour to start payment immediately,” Ngige said.
Also speaking to reporters after signing the agreement, Acting Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, expressed satisfaction with the agreement. She said “it was a collective decision, we had a conducive environment and arrived at the agreement. I think it is good that government and Labour can actually sit together in a constructive manner.
“The implementation will start immediately. We will definitely work the arrears out but that is not something that we can tell for now. The important thing is that we have an agreement and we start the payment as soon as we work out the proper sums,” she said.
President of the Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC), Ayuba Waba, said it was a decision reached after a “collective bargaining”. He added that both parties are “committed to the implementation without further delay”. He noted that guidelines will also be transmitted to all the state councils of the NLC to work in harmony with the national body for the implementation.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) had through its President Quadri Olaleye and General Secretary, Musa Lawal Ozigi, expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the agreement. The TUC leaders in an earlier statement, commended the Federal Government and organised labour for their patience while the National Minimum Wage negotiations lasted. They stressed that although it was a rough road but they are happy that an agreement has finally been signed.
They said it was not an easy journey but that 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, we made them understand that some people cannot be more Nigerian than others. If we are tightening our belts, government should also do so,” he said.
The TUC leaders said that as an organization and a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project they 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 leaders said.
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.
Others at the negotiation include; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo; Acting Chairman of the National Salaries and Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta; General Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja; Acting Chairman of Joint Public Service Negotiation Council, JNPSNC (Trade Union Side)Simon Anchaver; members of the National Assembly Service Commission; members of the National Judicial Service Commission, Representative of the Accountant General of the Federation among others.
