States, the Federal Government, and labour are preparing to talk about raising worker pay

In light of rising inflation and rising prices for goods and services, there are signs that organised labour and the federal and state governments may meet to discuss proposals to raise employees’ allowances in the New Year without a corresponding increase in salary.

Dr. Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment, gave the public and civil servants hope on Tuesday by announcing that the presidential committee on salaries was reviewing the current salary structures and was anticipated to propose salary adjustments early in 2023 to mitigate the effects of the nation’s high inflation rate.

Following a meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret. ), Ngige informed State House reporters, “Yes, the Presidential Committee on Salaries is working hand-in-hand with the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission.” The act establishing it requires the commission to fix salaries, earnings, and emoluments in occupations other than the public service.

“They will also help you if you want their support and work in the private sector.” They have what is known as the “compensation and remuneration template.” In other words, if you work, you get paid; if you don’t work, you don’t get paid.

According to Ngige, the rise he alludes to is in the salaries and benefits of the impacted employees, particularly civil personnel.

Olajide Oshundun, who is in charge of public relations for the ministry, put out a statement in which the minister denied the claim.

The following excerpt is from the statement: “The attention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has been drawn to the news item that the FG is reviewing salaries of public and civil servants, which was a fallout of his interaction with State House correspondents after his recent meeting with Mr. President.

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“The minister wishes to make it clear that the increase he mentioned was on the wages and benefits of the impacted employees, particularly the government servants.”

According to the statement, proposals for the evaluation of numerous ministries, departments, and agencies’ allowances have been sent to the Presidential Committee on Salaries by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

According to the statement, “the committee addressed the allowances component of the proposals, including the special allowance for federal civil servants, among others, because the salary component is not currently being considered by the committee.”

The government says that compensation, which is also called emolument or remuneration, is made up of a wage and an earned allowance.

Therefore, the FG through the PCS could not have engaged in the salary review without involving the workers through their unions, represented by these two labour federations of workers in Nigeria: the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria. Salary review or renegotiation is part of social dialogue, and the result is typically a collective bargaining agreement that is generally agreed upon by both parties—employers and employees.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the minister made it clear to the press corps that it was still a work in progress and that the final results of this review of allowances would be submitted to Mr. President for consideration and final approval.” The minister also informed him that day that this was one of the labour issues he had briefed him on. Hope is placed in this righteous action, which the FG took out of compassion and without being compelled or threatened with violence, to lessen the crippling impacts of spiralling inflation, particularly that which affects food and energy prices (electricity and petroleum products).

The committee is hopeful that Mr. President will receive and take into consideration the suggestions by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The minister wants to reassure.