ABUJA – Mr Gerald Ukeni, the General Secretary of Nigeria Civil Service Union, said periodic review of workers’ salaries was vital for industrial peace.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to set up a committee to monitor the economy and make recommendations on wage increases.
Ukeni made the suggestion during interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Ukeni, review of workers’ wages in any progressive economy is based on certain factors which must be put into consideration for overall economic growth.
Ukeni said workers were always the ones affected by inflation; hike in house rents, school fees and other adverse economic trends without a corresponding wage increase.
“There is need to set up a committee of experts who will always be monitoring the economy and give out indices that can help for planning and wage increase.
“Review of workers’ wages every five years is a healthy thing for industrial peace and democracy; the wage that was implemented in 2011 is no more relevant going by the economic trend and price of goods.
“In Nigeria, there is price abuse; while the wage remains fixed, prices cannot be fixed because of the economy we run here.
“People fix prices for their commodities in whichever way they want; prices are not regulated by the forces of demand and supply.
“Immediately there is a wage increase, the landlord will increase house rent; the market women will do same; so, it makes a mincemeat of the increment.’’
He said workers were at the receiving end of stagnant wages, adding that it would be proper to look at the wages periodically.
According to him, such review will cushion the effect of rising inflation on workers.
Ukeni said it was imperative to know how the economy was fairing in terms of productivity and other factors before reviewing wages.
“In such economy, there must be productivity; less corruption; national consciousness and respect for the institutions.
Ukeni said that provision of houses and subsidising school fees in both public and private schools could reduce agitation for wage increase.
According to him, life is becoming increasingly difficult for workers living in the FCT as they have to pay for accommodation and children’s school fees with their meagre salaries.
The just concluded National Conference voted against a proposal to recommend the increase of salaries of public workers. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]