In a significant move on the eve of May Day, the federal government has sanctioned a pay increase of between 25 and 35 per cent for civil servants across various consolidated salary structures. The announcement, made by Emmanuel Njoku, Head of Press at the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC), came ahead of the submission of the tripartite committee’s report on the national minimum wage.
Effective from January 1, 2024, the augmentation applies to six consolidated salary structures, including CONPSS, CONRAISS, CONPOSS, CONPASS, CONICCS, and CONAFSS. Additionally, pension increases ranging from 20% to 28% were approved for pensioners enrolled in the Defined Benefits Scheme within these structures.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed skepticism, with Assistant General Secretary Chris Onyeka deeming the announcement a “waste of time,” citing the commission’s lack of authority to fix the national minimum wage. Despite prodding, NLC and TUC officials were unavailable for comment.
Njoku clarified that the increase was unrelated to the multi-stakeholder committee chaired by SGF George Akume. He emphasized that workers deserved timely benefits from government policies and confirmed the payment of arrears from January.
Confidential sources revealed that the announcement aimed to preempt potential unrest, as the organized labor reportedly planned protests on May Day. Efforts to engage union leaders for dialogue were hindered by their unavailability or reluctance to engage with government officials and security agencies.
These developments underscore the complexity and sensitivity surrounding labor relations in Nigeria, particularly amidst heightened social and political tensions.
