Pay our five months arrears of new minimum wage-TUC tells FG

By Bimbo Ogunnaike

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has appealed to the Federal Government to pay five months arrears of the new national minimum wage because the wage bill was signed into Law by President Muhammadu Buhari in April this year.

It would be recalled that the central government and organised labour finally agreed on the consequential adjustment for other categories of workers after a three negotiation.

According to the agreement between FG and labour, core civil servants on grade level 7 will have (23.2 per cent) adjustment; grade level 8 (20 per cent); grade level 9 (19 per cent); grade levels 10 to 14 (16 per cent); and grade levels 15 to 17, (14 per cent).

The acting Chairman of the TUC, Anchaver Simon, and the union’s Secretary, Alade Lawal, made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“We wish to advise that since the 2019 National Minimum Wage was signed into Law by Mr President on April 18, 2019, the implementation should start from that date so as not to trigger another avoidable round of agitation by public service employees and their trade unions,”

“We are also glad that the government has taken note of the need for a general salary review in the public service. We are looking forward to this review and we hope that the Federal Government will keep to its promise which was made during the negotiation of consequential adjustments,”TUC said in the statement.

As for the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),  Ayuba Wabba, the labour unions’ agreement with the Federal Government is a victory for workers.

“We want to thank all Nigerian workers and our affiliated unions for their support, solidarity and unity of purpose throughout the difficult negotiations. It is heartwarming that the process was eventually rewarding,” he had said.

”We must say that, as always, we were disappointed by the antics of those whose interest lies elsewhere than the common goal of protecting and advancing the interest of ordinary Nigerian workers,”Wabba said.

“We wish to emphasize that the hard-won salary adjustment will benefit all categories of workers including those in the military and para-military services.

“Apart from workers, the recent salary increase will also benefit ordinary citizens, especially those in the informal sector as the increase in the available disposable income of workers will translate into a stronger purchasing power for our people,” NLC president added.