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.
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