The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants met on Friday and announced that the new minimum wage, set at ₦70,000, will take effect on July 29, 2024. This decision was outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) released following the meeting, which our correspondent reviewed in Abuja.
The committee, chaired by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during the meeting, recommended that the previously discontinued wage award be reinstated and paid through July 28, 2024. Walson-Jack noted that the government carefully considered the current economic climate before making its decision, stating, “We held four meetings, thoroughly evaluating all presentations from both the Federal Government and trade union representatives. The committee took into account the government's ability to sustain any salary adjustments under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024, along with the implications for other employers.”
The MoU also outlined that the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) will develop appropriate salary templates for other consolidated salary structures to facilitate implementation. Additionally, the committee urged the government to explore measures to alleviate the economic burdens faced by federal workers, especially in light of rising fuel prices, suggesting tax waivers and other incentives.
However, reactions to the government's decision have been critical. Benson Upah, Head of Information for the Nigerian Labour Congress, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “The backdating to July is not fair. It is unacceptable.” Similarly, Timmy Etim, National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the inconsistency with prior assurances given by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who indicated that the new minimum wage would begin on May 1st.
The Office of the Head of Civil Service confirmed that the new minimum wage agreement stems from a consensus reached during the committee meeting. Walson-Jack commended the collaborative spirit that characterized the negotiations, which she described as the most efficient and peaceful in recent history.
The MoU has been signed by all parties involved and will be forwarded to the Federal Government for further action. Comrade Benjamin Anthony, representing the Trade Union side, praised the committee's efforts and expressed optimism for the future of civil servant salaries in Nigeria.
