• FG to commence marginal wage increase May 1
• 35% pay rise for civil servants mischievous – NLC
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Organised Labour that their understanding, patience, commitment and support in the course of implementing his administration's policies and programmes are not taken for granted.
The President at the occasion applauded the Nigerian workers for their contributions to ongoing efforts by the government to save the nation's economy, describing them as "an indispensable component of the nation’s engine," in the bid to build a just and progressive society.
The President who gave the assurance on Wednesday during a colourful ceremony to mark the 2024 May Day celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja, said it is a fundamental truth that the workers are Nigeria's backbone, even as he acknowledged and appreciated their hard work, sacrifices, and contributions to the nation's stability and prosperity.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima who represented him at the event, President Tinubu commended the choice of the theme for this year’s May Day celebration, "People First," saying it did not only resonate with his administration’s agenda, but also demonstrates that "the working class holds a central position in the affairs of this nation."
Delivering the President's address titled, "Solidarity in Action: Collaborative Governance, Empowered Workers", VP Shettima stated: "Great Nigerian workers, your role as an indispensable component of the nation’s engine cannot be overstated by any government if the quest for a just and progressive society is to be realised. Therefore, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to you on this very important celebration.
"I do not take for granted the understanding, patience, commitment, and support you have shown throughout the implementation of this government’s policies and programmes aimed at positively transforming our great nation. Your contributions have played a significant role in our efforts to rescue the economy since we came on board".
The 2024 Workers Day was marked with high hopes, as President Tinubu told the workers that their days of worrying were over, just as he hinted at his administration’s readiness to consider a national living wage that will address their living condition, instead of a minimum wage, if suggested by the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage set up on January 30, 2024, by the federal government.
He said, "The committee's mandate was to provide counsel and suggest a national minimum wage that aligns with our current economic conditions. Since then, the committee, in collaboration with labour leaders, has been diligently working towards proposing a new National Minimum Wage.
"Unfortunately, despite concerted efforts, the committee was unable to reach a consensus at its last meeting. This shall be resolved soon and I assure you that your days of worrying are over. Indeed, this government is open to the committee’s suggestion of not just a minimum wage but a living wage."
Noting that he assumed office at a time Nigeria, like many other nations, were grappling with what he described as “daunting socio-political and developmental challenges”, President Tinubu maintained that his government has been "resolute in confronting these obstacles head-on.
"The scourge of criminality, from banditry to kidnapping and the farmer-herder crises, alongside terrorism, continues to afflict our nation despite the tireless efforts of our armed forces. We are aware of the toll this takes on our economy. I assure you: we are fully committed to tackling these security challenges," he added.
The President however observed that it would be impossible to "achieve a just and equitable society that caters to the needs of every member, including the strong and the weak, without fostering peace and unity."
He pointed out that Nigeria’s "shared vision for national growth and development can only be realised in an atmosphere of industrial harmony and peaceful coexistence in every segment" of the country.
Earlier, the Minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, at the May Day celebration in Abuja announced a marginal wage increase across all cadres.
She says although the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude its negotiations, workers will not lose anything as the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024.
She said it is regrettable that the new national minimum wage is not ready before today, but that a wide consultation is ongoing to ensure that the document is out together as soon as possible.
According to the Minister, while President Tinubu "believes that every worker deserves to work in an environment free from exploitation, discrimination, and oppression," the government is "creating workplaces that offer respect, job security and inclusivity for all."
Onyejeocha assured labour that the Tinubu administration “empathizes with the plight of workers and will do all it can to address these issues," urging the organized labour "to maintain social dialogue in resolving disputes."
In his goodwill message, the Minister of FCT, Barr Nyesom Wike, pledged the commitment of the FCT administration under his watch to the needs and welfare of workers in the territory, noting that they are the backbone of the public service in the area.
He said the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission is a testament to the administration's obligation to the welfare of workers in the public service, assuring them that they will be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.
On her part, the representative of the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA), Comrade Adenike Ajala, reiterated the commitment of the organisation to the concerns of the Nigerian worker, pledging NECA's resolve to always uphold the principle of collective bargaining in all engagements regarding the wellbeing of workers.
In a joint speech, presidents of Nigeria's two major labour unions, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), maintained that prioritizing the welfare of workers and pursuing policies that improve productivity are critical for national development.
NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo said, "Leadership is about the people. There is no other measure for success in government except its impact on the lives of the people."
They urged the government to swiftly conclude negotiations on a national minimum wage that reflects economic realities for Nigerian workers.
35% pay rise for civil servants mischievous – NLC
Similarly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the 35 percent pay rise of the Federal Government civil servants as mischievous, saying the living wage should be N615,000.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the position of the Union known during an interview on Channels Television.
DAILY COURIER earlier reported that the Federal Government approved a pay rise of between 25 and 35 percent for civil servants across various consolidated salary structures on Tuesday.
Noting that the last minimum wage of N30,000 expired on April 18, Ajaero said, “We should be in the regime of new minimum wage as of today. Discussions were supposed to have been concluded.
“The Federal Government through the National Assembly legislated on it. But we saw that the discussion entered voice mail because the Federal Government refused to reconvene the meeting that was adjourned.
“I think the announcement now appears mischievous because there is no wage increase that the government is announcing. For them to announce it now is an issue that we are worried about at the NLC and even at the TUC.”
Ajaero said the organised labour has agreed on N615,000 as the living wage for civil servants.
“Living wage is such that will, at least keep you alive. It is not a wage that will make you poor and poorer. It is not a wage that will make you borrow to go to work. It is not a wage that will lead you to be in the hospital every day because of malnutrition. For that living wage, we have tried to look at N615,000.
“Let me give you a breakdown of how we arrived at that figure. We have housing and accommodation of N40,000. We asked for electricity of N20,000 — of course, that was before the current tariff increase. Nobody can spend this amount currently. We have utility, that is about N10,000. We looked at kerosene and gas, which is about N25,000 to N35,000.
“We looked at food for a family of six, that is about N9,000 in a day. For 30 days, that is about N270,000. Look at medical, N50,000 provided there will be no surgery or whatever.
“For clothing, we looked at N20,000. For education, N50,000. I don’t know for those who tried to put their children in private school, they will not be able to cope with this amount. We also have sanitation of N10,000.
“I think where we have another bulk of the money is transportation. This is because the workers stay on the fringes and because of the cost of PMS, which amounted to N110,000.
“That brought the whole living wage to N615,000 and I want anyone to subject this to further investigation and find out whether there will be any savings when you pay somebody on this rate.”
Other dignitaries at the Workers Day celebration were the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume; representative of the Senate President, Sen. Didet Plang; Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati; former presidents of the NLC, Sen. Adams Oshiomole; Comrade Ayuba Waba and Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar; former executives of the various unions and representatives of the diplomatic community, among others.
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