Why we backdated implementation of New Minimum Wage — FG gives explanation
The implementation of the new minimum wage will begin in July 2024, the Federal Government, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has announced.
NSIWC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the commission, the July start date aligns with the President’s approval of the bill, following its passage by the National Assembly.
This update contradicts an earlier statement by Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who had previously indicated that the payment would start on May 1, 2024.
As a result, if payments begin by the end of October, only two months’ arrears will be due. The government also confirmed the approval of revisions to the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and other salary frameworks.
The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants met last Friday and agreed that the new minimum wage should take effect from July 29, 2024.
The committee, led by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, also recommended that the previously discontinued wage award be paid up until July 28, 2024. The government’s decisions were made with consideration of the country’s economic situation.
However, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Benson Upah, Head of Information at the Nigerian Labour Congress, criticised the government’s decision, calling it unacceptable.
“It’s not fair to backdate the new minimum wage to July. This decision is unacceptable,” said Benson Upah.
Timmy Etim, National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, also criticized the government’s actions, expressing disappointment.
He pointed out that during the May Day celebrations, Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, had assured workers that the new wage would take effect from May. Reneging on that promise, he argued, was unjust.
Addressing the issue at the press briefing in Abuja, NSIWC Chairman Ekpo Nta explained, “The President has approved the revision of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, effective from July 29, 2024.”
“The commission wishes to clarify that the effective date for the commencement of the National Minimum Wage is the 29th of July, 2024 as that was the day Mr President assented to the act after the bill was forwarded to him by the National Assembly.”
He continued that any federal public service, whether self-funded or treasury-funded, that has not yet received an official circular from the NSIWC should reach out to the commission for further instructions.
Nta said: “This is to avoid an uncoordinated implementation which tends to destroy the existing salary relativities in the federal public service.”
He said that NSIWC would issue further directives on how pensioners, NYSC members and interns would benefit from the implementation.
The chairman highlighted additional revised templates, including the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, the Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure, and the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II.
He said others were: “The Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure, Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, Consolidated Health Salary Structure, Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure and Consolidated Police Salary Structure, Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure.
“This is consequent to the enactment of the NSIWC Amendment Act 2024 and the Memorandum of Understanding reached by the committee on consequential adjustments in salaries arising from the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024.
”Between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Trade Union sides of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council Sept. 20.”
