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Tag: minimum wage

  • A’Ibom, Labour yet to agree on minimum wage

    A’Ibom, Labour yet to agree on minimum wage

    Akwa Ibom State Government and the Organised Labour are yet to agree on a specific amount as minimum wage for workers. 

    Akwa Ibom chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Sunny James, disclosed this to The Nation in Uyo on Saturday.

    James said the NLC and other labour unions were still negotiating with the government, adding that it is expected that an official amount as minimum wage will be announced by government in a week’s time

    He, however, maintained that labour will not agree on anything less than N70,000, hoping that the state government might higher.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Oyo awaiting recommendation of committee on consequential adjustment

    According to him, labour was concerned about the consequential adjustments for senior civil servants, adding that the increment must reflect on all grade levels.

    “NLC and other labour unions are still engaging with the state government to agree on specific figures. We don’t want to rush into announcing figures because we are still doing our calculations.

    *I can say that the state government will make a pronouncement in a week’s time. Workers will not accept anything less than N70,000. That is not even a problem because the state government might pay higher than N70,000.

    “What labour is concerned about is the consequential adjustments for the new minimum wage to reflect on all grade levels especially senior civil servants,” he said.

  • Minimum wage: Oyo awaiting recommendation of committee on consequential adjustment

    Minimum wage: Oyo awaiting recommendation of committee on consequential adjustment

    Oyo State Government said it was awaiting the recommendations of the committee set up to look at the consequential adjustment on the national minimum wage.

    Governor Seyi Makinde had agreed to pay the new national minimum wage of N70,000 but said the issue of consequential adjustment will be looked into by a committee, comprising the government officials, labour leaders and other relevant stakeholders.

    When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser ( Media) to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the matter awaiting resolution is the issue of consequential adjustment. 

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Governors paying above N70,000 minimum wage

    He assured that payment will commence immediately an agreement is reached on the various adjustments to accompany the new minimum wage.

    Olanrewaju said: “The Governor has promised that the state will pay the minimum wage. The issue is the matter of consequential adjustment. 

    “Currently, there is a committee in place looking at the adjustment. As soon as the committee completes its assignment, payment will start.”

  • Fubara approves N85,000 as minimum wage for Rivers’ workers

    Fubara approves N85,000 as minimum wage for Rivers’ workers

    Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the payment of N85,000.00 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in Rivers.

    A statement signed by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting presided over by the governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the State at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    Speaking after the meeting, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, affirmed that Fubara graciously approved N85,000 as the new minimum wage adding that the government would begin payment in November 2024.

    George said: “He (Gov Fubara) has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000.00, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally.

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    “So, as the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labour family, I am very happy to say that the Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.

    “The labour union leaders and all the other major stakeholders were happy with this development.”

    Responding to possible payment of arrears, Dr Nwaeke, said it was yet to be determined because a technical committee had been set up to critically work out a tenable payment chart, which would cater for issues of arrears.

    He said:  “Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee that I am going to be Deputy to the SSG. We are already going to work on it in a technical committee that will now get the nitty gritty of the payment and inform the press later.”

    On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Emecheta Chuku, explained that it was their first meeting with Governor Fubara to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

  • N85,000 minimum wage demonstration of Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to workers’ welfare – Lagos TUC

    N85,000 minimum wage demonstration of Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to workers’ welfare – Lagos TUC

    Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Lagos State Chapter, has described the approval of N85,000 minimum wage as a demonstration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to addressing workers’ welfare in the state.

    Chairman of TUC in the state, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, and Secretary, Mr Aladetan Abiodun, stated this in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos.

    The duo, while acknowledging the minimum wage pronouncement, commended the governor for recognising the need to review the current minimum wage.

    “While we have taken note of the N85,000 offer, we look forward to the upcoming meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, where we will commence discussions on this important matter.

    “Organised Labour remains hopeful that through constructive dialogue, we can arrive at a more robust outcome that reflects both the economic realities of Lagos and the contributions of its workers,’’ they said.

    The union leaders, who expressed optimism over the upcoming discussions, said that principles of good faith, fairness, and mutual respect would guide the negotiations.

    “We are ready to work collaboratively with the government to ensure that the outcome is both beneficial to the workers and sustainable for the state.

    “We remain committed to ensuring that this process upholds the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Lagos fixes N85,000, Delta N77,500

    “The welfare of workers is paramount, and we trust that our engagement with the government will result in an outcome that truly reflects the value of its workforce and the need to improve their living conditions,” they said.

    NAN reports that Sanwo-Olu had, during an interview on a television station, announced that his administration would pay workers a minimum wage of N85,000.

    (NAN)

  • Labour lauds Sanwo-Olu for approving N85,000 minimum wage

    Labour lauds Sanwo-Olu for approving N85,000 minimum wage

    The organised labour has lauded Lagos State Gov. Babjide Sanwo-Olu’s approval of N85,000 minimum wage for the state workers.

    In  interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, labour leaders described the approval as a right step in the right direction.

    NAN reports that Sanwo-Olu, during an interview on a television station,  announced that his administration would  pay workers a minimum wage of N85,000.

    Sanwo-Olu said that he wanted the people to know “that their government is working for them”.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter, Mrs Funmi Sessi, said that the pronouncement was a welcome  development at the critical time of the nation’s economy.

    Sessi said, however, that the union had expected more than N85,000 due to the  peculiarities in the state.

    “The state governor knows the peculiarities of Lagos in transportation, accommodation, utility and feeding; the workers and Lagosians pay more on all these.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Lagos fixes N85,000, Delta N77,500

    “We were expecting nothing less than N100,000 but, at least, it is a step in the right direction.

    “We are expecting a massive infrastructure  provision in the state, there should be an alternative to road transportation,“ she said.

    The chairman urged the government to ensure security and protection of lives on waterways.

    “Recently, there was an accident that happened where two boats collided at night and we lost lives.

    “If people are sure of getting to their destinations safely,  they will like to take alternatives to road.

    Also, Mr Ishola Adejumo, the Chairman, Radio, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, also commended the governor for the approval.

    Adejumo described the cost of living in Lagos as very high, saying that there was need for a commensurate wage.

    “The N85,000 minimum wage is a welcome development and very much anticipated.

    “This is a state that sets pace for other states in Nigeria; the centre of excellence, land of aquatic splendour, a cosmopolitan state, the economic hub of this country.

    “Therefore, people who work in Lagos deserve a better wage because they spend more compared to other states,” he said.

    Adejumo urged the governor to sustain the tempo in other areas.

    “The governor should sustain the BRT subsidy and all other measures that will bring succour and happiness to the working people of Lagos.

    “We congratulate him and thank him,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • Minimum wage: Lagos fixes N85,000, Delta N77,500

    Minimum wage: Lagos fixes N85,000, Delta N77,500

    The Lagos and Delta states’ governments have promised to pay N85,000 and N77,500 as the minimum wage for their workers.

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the new minimum wage, which is N15,000 higher than the N70,000 approved by the Federal Government in July.

    The governor announced the new minimum wage on Channels Television’s evening programme, “Politics Today”.

    He said: “I am glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we conversed and discussed with our union is N85,000 today.

    “It is not a competition. So, I am not going to say we are paying more than some other people. It is a function of affordability and it is a function of capacity. But we know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of even the cost of living. We are fully aware.”

    The governor recalled that earlier in the year, the state had increased the salary of workers, saying it was his wish to make the minimum wage of N100,000 from next year.

    Read Also; Tunji-Ojo, Correctional Service and global standard

    “We actually increased salaries earlier in the year and deserving so for our workers and we will continue to do that.

    “I would like to come back to you in January to say I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to N100,000 not because I want to make anybody look bad; it is really because I want my people to have a living wage, I want them to really be able to know that government is working for them,” he said.

    In Delta State, the government has officially announced that it would start paying a minimum wage of N77,500 to its workers as from the end of this month.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, announced this at a meeting of the committee of the new minimum wage with the leadership of the state’s organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).

    Emu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed the payment of the new minimum wage as from the end of this month.

    “The minimum wage committee earlier agreed that we can’t make payment until the National Income Salaries and Wages Commission sends the chart. We have now received the chart and we have in the last three sessions gone through the consequential adjustments and implications on our cash flow.

    “Even though we have not been able to determine all the ramifications of the consequential adjustments on the future cash flow requirements of the state, the governor directed we go ahead to pay because he feels the pains of the people as a labour-friendly governor,” he said.

    NLC State Chairman Goodluck Ofobruku hailed Oborevwori for promptly approving the new minimum wage.

  • BREAKING: Lagos pegs minimum wage at N85,000 for workers

    BREAKING: Lagos pegs minimum wage at N85,000 for workers

    Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that the State plans to pay workers a minimum wage of N85,000, which is N15,000 higher than the N70,000 approved by the Federal Government in July.

    Sanwo-Olu announced this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

    The Governor said the State is not paying N85,000 to compete with others but because it has the capacity to do so.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to make Lagos 21st-century economy

    “I am glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos which we conversed and discussed with our union is N85,000 today,” Sanwo-Olu said on the programme.

    “It is not a competition, so I am not going to say we are paying more than some other people, it is a function of affordability and it is a function of capacity, but we know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of even the cost of living, we are fully aware.”

    President Bola Tinubu signed the new N70,000 minimum wage bill into law in July, ending months of deliberations between government representatives, labour unions and the private sector.

    Details shortly…

  • Jigawa Gov suspends Special Adviser over minimum wage claim

    Jigawa Gov suspends Special Adviser over minimum wage claim

    Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi has suspended his Special Adviser  on Salary and Pension, Alhaji Bashir Ado Kazaure, with immediate effect.

    Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, announced this in a statement. 

    Kazaure was suspended for his alleged involvement in a purported media report claiming that Governor Namadi has approved N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the State, which the aide later denied  in an audio clip sent to a radio station.

    The SSG also announced the setting up of a five- man committee to investigate the source, actual content and motive behind the statement. 

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa to pay Ondo workers N73,000 minimum wage

    According to him: “The Jigawa State Government viewed with serious concern a statement circulating in various sections of the Media alleging that His Excellency Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi,  has approved N70, 000 as new minimum wage”.

    “This sounds embarrassing and pre-mature as the Committee headed by Head of the State Civil Service, set up by the Government to advise on the appropriate wage is yet to complete its assignment and submit report.

    “Accordingly, the State Government is compelled to set up a Committee to investigate the source, actual content of the statement and the motive behind it”.

    The Committee, he said, is to be chaired by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini while the  Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Sagir Musa Ahmed; Commissioner of Health, Dr. Muhammmad Abdullahi Kainuwa; Permanent Secretary Establishment and Service Matters, Muhammad Yahaya Jabo will serve as members with Permanent Secretary REPA, Abba Mustapha Yola as Secretary of the committee, which is given two weeks to submit report.

  • Ododo okays N72,500 minimum wage for Kogi workers, gives tax relief

    Ododo okays N72,500 minimum wage for Kogi workers, gives tax relief

    Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo yesterday approved N72,500 as the new minimum wage for the state’s workers, effective from this month.

    Ododo gave the approval after receiving the report of the state’s Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, headed by the Head of Service (HoS), Elijah Avenemi, at the Government House in Lokoja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had, on September 17, inaugurated the committee to design effective modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

    The approved N72,500 minimum wage is N2,500 higher than the N70,000 national minimum wage bill passed by the National Assembly and signed into law in July by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Read Also: Rivers: one day, one trouble

    The governor also gave tax relief to all the workers in the state for the next one year.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to the overall welfare of all cadres of workers in the state, saying no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax or any other form of deduction would be made within the next one year.

    “Having been a labour leader and a civil servant before going into partisan politics, I knew what the civil servants were passing through.

    “Now that God has made me the governor, I will do all within the state resources to provide succour for the state workforce.

    “I cannot forget where I came from. I am a man from a humble background who became who I am by the grace of God. I will, therefore, not use my position to oppress anyone but to better the lots of the people,” Ododo said.

    The governor sought the workers’ support for his administration to succeed, assuring them of continued prompt payment of their salaries.

    The state’s Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Gabriel Amari, who spoke on behalf of the organised labour, praised the governor for being worker-friendly.

    Amari expressed the workers’ appreciation to the governor for the seamless efforts at which the implementation committee arrived at the new minimum wage.

    He promised, on behalf of the workers, to ensure that the workers remained more committed to their duties and cooperate with the governor to carry out his good plans for the state.

  • ‘Kwara to implement minimum wage soon’

    ‘Kwara to implement minimum wage soon’

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara State at the weekend said it was working with other stakeholders to ensure implementation of the new minimum wage soon.

    Chairman Muritala Olayinka said this in Ilorin at this year’s World Teachers Day celebration, adding:  “The committee set up by the state government is working round the clock to ensure the new minimum wage is implemented in the state.

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    “I therefore urge teachers to exercise patience. At the end of the day we will come out with something tangible that will make everybody smile.”

    Corroborating Olayinka, the Chairman of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, said teachers would be taken care of in the new minimum wage.

    Represented by Alhaji Abdullatef Solagberu, Prof Adaramaja said “a committee has been inaugurated by the state government. Nigeria Union of Teachers is adequately represented.’’