Nigerian Workers Confirm Receiving New Minimum Wage Payment from Federal Government

 

Nigerian workers have confirmed receiving payments in line with the Federal Government's new minimum wage. The spokesperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Benson Upah, and the Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tommy Etim, disclosed this in separate statements on Thursday.

This development comes after DAILY POST exclusively reported that the Federal Government has commenced the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to workers. The announcement marks a significant move towards improving the livelihoods of millions of federal employees across the country.

NLC and TUC Call for Emulation by Other Entities

Reacting to the commencement of the new minimum wage payments, Benson Upah urged other establishments across the country to follow the example set by the Federal Government. He said, "Yes, I think so. We ask other entities to emulate this example." This call highlights the need for both public and private organizations to align with the government's efforts to enhance workers' welfare.

Similarly, TUC’s Deputy President, Tommy Etim, emphasized the need for all parties to adopt the new minimum wage, citing the Federal Government's release of a template for consequential adjustments. He stated, "FG’s committee on consequential adjustments already released a template, so no one has any moral ground to delay the payment of the minimum wage. We now advise that all other parties follow suit and commence the payment of the new minimum wage."

Workers Begin Receiving Payments

A civil servant working in the office of the Head of Civil Service, who requested anonymity, confirmed receiving the new minimum wage payment for September 2024. "I got an alert around 2 pm on Thursday. I am hoping the arrears will come too," he told DAILY POST. Some federal workers have reported receiving an additional N40,000 as part of the consequential adjustment to their previous salaries.

This implies that over 1.2 million federal government workers have started receiving the new minimum wage. This significant adjustment reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling its promise to improve worker welfare.

Approval of the New Minimum Wage

On Tuesday, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, confirmed that the government had approved an upward review of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) in line with the Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024. This review followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's approval of the N70,000 new minimum wage on July 18, 2024. The Senate subsequently passed the new minimum wage bill into law, paving the way for its implementation.

The N70,000 minimum wage represents a 100% increase from the previous N30,000 minimum wage, which was implemented under former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. This adjustment is a critical step in mitigating the effects of rising living costs and inflation faced by Nigerian workers.

Minimum Wage Implementation Amid Rising Inflation

The implementation of the new minimum wage comes at a time when the cost of living in Nigeria has been significantly impacted by inflation. In August 2024, headline inflation stood at 32.15%, while food inflation reached 37.52%, causing the prices of goods and services to soar. The payment of the increased minimum wage is expected to provide some relief to workers as they cope with the rising costs of basic necessities.

Conclusion

The confirmation of the new minimum wage payment by Nigerian workers marks a significant milestone in the country’s labor sector. The Federal Government’s move to increase the minimum wage to N70,000 is a step towards ensuring better welfare for workers amid economic challenges. However, as highlighted by the NLC and TUC, other entities across the country are urged to follow suit to ensure all workers benefit from improved wages. With inflation at record highs, the increase in workers' pay is timely and crucial for sustaining their livelihoods.