By Uche Amunike
In the circular letter, dated September 23, 2024, and signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, the government stated that payment of the arrears of the new minimum wage salary structure will take effect from July 29, 2024.
Recall that the new minimum wage was slated to kick off from May 1, 2024, as the old one expired in April 2024. However, the legislation that introduced the new rate was passed into law on July 29, 2024, without having the implementation date updated.
In the circular, which was titled: ‘The Implementation of the New National Minimum Wage in Federal Public Service – the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure’ , the government stated: ‘Consequent upon the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the revision of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure with effect from 29th July, 2024.’
The commission further issued, alongside the circular, that a salary table that should help the new minimum wage adjustment will be computed. The minimum wage implementation circular was forwarded to all the heads of the different sectors under the Federal Public Service.
On their part, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ( NACCIMA), yesterday commended that decision of the federal government to implement the payment of the new minimum wage salary structure of N70,000 to workers all over the country.
Speaking, through a statement signed by the National President of NACCIMA, Dele Oye, he showed concerns about the threat of imprisonment for defaulters, describing the decision as unhelpful.
He stated that the organization expects both the state and local governments that have not started implementation of the new minimum wage structure to do so.
He, however, stated that the government should have an engagement with stakeholders, including the labor unions by collaborating with them, in order to address the complaint of labor concerning the alleged breach of contract on the increase in the price of fuel and economic challenges facing businesses and workers.
Last week, the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants had a meeting regarding the new minimum wage templates and agreed that the effective date for implementation of the new wage would be set at July 29, 2024. They also recommended that the wage award, which was discontinued by the government, should also be paid up to July 28, 2024.
The committee which was headed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Watson-Jack, stated also that the government was aware of the economic situation in the country before they took their decisions.
In reaction, however, the Head of Information of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Vincent Opah, faulted the decision of the government while describing it as unacceptable and unfair.
The National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, Timmy Etim, also faulted it, saying that it was wrong for the government to renege on a promise made to workers on May Day by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha.
