• Workers get Fed Govt’s May Day gift
• Labour to demand quick action on minimum wage
A cross-section of federal workers under certain consolidated categories got between 25 per cent and 35 per cent pay rise as announced yesterday.CONTINUE READING HERE>>>
This took effect from January 1, according to an official of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), who broke the news.
The announcement came on the eve of today’s Workers Day, marked across the world.
In Nigeria, the labour centres have scheduled activities for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and state capitals.
Workers will engage in march past and listen to addresses by their leaders.
It is usually an occasion for labour leaders to air their grievances.
Today, the ongoing talks by the Tripartite Committee to fix the minimum wage, petrol subsidy withdrawal and the forex crisis will dominate discussions at the May Day event venues.
Head of Press at the NSIWC, Mr. Emmanuel Njoku, told reporters: “The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25 per cent and 35 per cent in salary for civil servants on the remaining six consolidated salary structures. They include:
• Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS),
• Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS),
• Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS).
• Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS),
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• Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS),
• Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
The Federal Government also okayed a 20 to 28 per cent increase for pensioners enrolled in the Defined Benefits Scheme under the same consolidated salary structures (as above).
The pension increments also took effect from January 1.
Njoku noted that similar salary adjustments had already been implemented for tertiary education and health sector professionals in the consolidated structures.
Consolidated salary is the amount a person gets for the work done on a monthly basis. It consists of all the entitlements joined together, without specifically stating any breakups.
It also means the pay received without any perks or allowances. It is the fixed salary irrespective of the target achieved or performance criteria.
It can also be described as the payment of all allowances added and paid with regular salary.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it would use this year’s Workers Day celebration to call the attention of the Federal Government to the impact of the hike in electricity tariff and petroleum prices.
A major demand will be for the government to fast-track the ongoing negotiation on a new minimum wage.
Acting NLC General Secretary, Comrade Ismail Bello, told our reporter that it was high time the government started putting the people first before taking any decision.
He stressed that the removal of the petrol subsidy made life difficult, hence the need to speed up new minimum wage talks.
NLC Assistant General Secretary, Christopher Onyeka, added: “Our message is that despite the suffering the workers are facing, we are still standing.
“We will also call on the government to invest heavily in workers and to start seeing us as partners and not enemies.
“One of our demands is for the government to review the Administrative Law.”
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced the declaration of today as a public holiday, said the Federal Government was committed to improving the lot of workers.
He said: “In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens.”
He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for workers.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said efforts were being made to ensure a safer and healthier workplace.
In a statement, Kalu extolled the resilience, commitment and dedication of Nigerian workers.
“The parliament is happy with the way Nigerian workers have been conducting themselves over the years.
“This year’s theme resonates with the agenda of the 10th House of Representatives towards addressing climate-change-related issues and ensuring a safer and healthier working environment for Nigerian workers.
“We’re committed to legislative actions geared towards protection of workers’ rights, better welfare for their labour and a safer and healthier workplace,” he said
Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, urged Labour to exercise patience while sticking to social dialogue as the surest key to equitable industry peace necessary to optimise national production.
In a statement in Abuja by Senator Ngige Media Office, the former Anambra Governor said the time is challenging for all Nigerians, especially workers who receive fixed salaries even in the face of runaway prices of goods and services.
He argued that more patriotism is needed from the tripartite committee to tackle the dwindling economic fortune.
“This period needs a lot of patience and sticking to due process in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles of dialogue, bilaterally, and in some cases tripartite dialogue or even tripartite-plus to achieve the needed industrial peace and enhance productivity in the workplace and thereby boost the Nigerian economy.
“I further wish the organised labour a fruitful tripartite plus Minimum Wage negotiation that’s still ongoing and a very successful May Day.”
Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, hailed the outstanding contribution of workers to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Products (DGPs) in the past seven and half years of his administration.
“I am glad that we are signing off on an exciting note as only two days ago, I announced that we have raised the Edo State minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000, an increase of over 75 per cent.
“This reflects how much we have come to value the work you do and which also speaks to our unwavering commitment to rewarding hard work as a government,” he said.
Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, was silent on the payment of the new minimum wage.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor promised that the new wage and other welfare concerns would be addressed.
The governor also promised to continue evolving strategies to provide a conducive working environment.
He acknowledged the crucial role of civil servants in implementing policies and achieving good governance.
Umahi thanks ministry workers
Minister of Works David Umahi thanked his ministry’s workers for their support.
Praising Labour for its commitment to the welfare of the workers, he said there was a need for more commitment to the ideals of the struggle.
“We need to make more sacrifices and work with a high level of patriotism for the interest of Nigerians.
“I have no doubt that with the renewed zeal of Nigerian workers; we shall attain the glory of our nationhood.
“The workers of the Federal Ministry of Works have been so wonderful in their cooperation and their sense of duty in delivering in the mandate of the ministry,” he said.
Glo celebrates workers
Globacom urged Nigerian workers to use the May Day celebration to reaffirm their commitment to the service of the nation.
It enjoined them to rededicate themselves to excellence to take Nigeria to a higher level.
“We salute Nigerian workers on this day and commend them for the hard work, commitment, resourcefulness and industry which are essential for the growth of the economy of any nation,” Globacom said, urging them not to rest on their oars.
While calling on workers to remain focused and steadfast in their workplaces, the company noted that the story of Nigeria cannot be complete without the huge contributions of workers, both in the public and private sectors.
Also, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) said workers deserve a better, reasonable and higher standard for coping with economic hardship.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the party lamented that many states were yet to implement the minimum wage.
It bemoaned the challenge of low wages, job insecurity and inclement work environment.
NNPP urged the government to cut the cost of governance and prioritise workers’ welfare.
Lagos Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cornelius Ojelabi, praised workers in the state for their forthrightness, dedication and resilience.
“Since no administration succeeds without a happy and productive workforce, all the successes recorded so far in the state are due to the efforts of the workers.
“The party is very grateful to workers for being very dedicated and responsible,” the APC chairman said.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) hailed Nigerian workers for their remarkable resilience and resourcefulness.
Its Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, noted their immense contributions to the nation’s socio-economic progress.
“The rising cost of living continues to disproportionately impact working families, threatening their ability to meet basic needs,” it said.
CISLAC backed Labour’s demand for a minimum wage that reflects the rising cost of living and ensures the ability of workers to support themselves and their families.
It added: “We urge the Nigerian government to prioritise the following policy recommendations to create a more enabling environment for Nigerian workers:
“Implement a comprehensive national social protection strategy that provides access to healthcare, unemployment benefits, and pension plans for all workers, particularly those within the informal sector.
“Strengthen enforcement mechanisms for existing labour laws to ensure adherence to minimum wage standards, working hour limitations, and safety regulations in all workplaces.
“Invest in skills development programmes that equip Nigerian workers with the necessary skills to thrive in the ever-evolving job market.
“Ensure human development for workers including training and refresher courses.”
A firm, Japan Tobacco International Nigeria (JTI), felicitated its workforce across the globe for their steadfastness, pursuit of excellence and innovation, which has engendered the company’s growth trajectory.
The company, which is a member of JTI Worldwide with personnel in over 130 countries across the world, has attained excellence in its employee experience strategies and won the prestigious ‘Top Global Employer’ award for 10 consecutive years including regional certifications in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East.
With this year’s International Workers’ Day theme ‘Social Justice and Decent Work for All,’ JTI Nigeria said it was committed to creating a working environment that enables brilliant people to be creative, nurture the best possible culture that embraces diversity and individual development thereby allowing them to reach their full potential.
The company’s sustainability target is to be a certified employer of choice every year in at least 60 locations, by focusing on talent management, rewards, and empowerment.
JTI Nigeria offers long-lasting careers with inspiring prospects and promotes gender equality in its operations.
This is why it set up the platform, TogetHER- an Employee Resource Group (ERG) which helps foster women’s empowerment and equal opportunities.
It is a safe environment to talk, challenge, and grow on our journey towards gender equality.
Thomas Adams, the General Manager of JTI Nigeria, said as a company that operates in line with global best practices, JTI delivers on its objectives of making progress in improving employees’ well-being, supporting greater diversity and inclusion wherever it operates, and giving its personnel equal opportunity to develop their career.CONTINUE READING HERE>>>
