N30,000 minimum wage: FG, labour fail to reach implementation agreement again
- The battle for the implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage is still being waged as the govt and labour have failed to reach an agreement over implementation
- Both sides have, however, agreed to reconvene for talks on August 14 and 15
- The stalled talks at the federal level have also affected negotiations in the 36 states
Despite the signing of the bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the battle for the implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage is far from being over.
There are still disagreements between the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the federal government over the implementation of the wage structure, The Nation reports.
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Legit.ng gathers that the government is yet to accede to labour’s demands for workers from levels 07-17 and above, as workers on levels 01-16 are set to enjoy the N30,000 minimum wage.
Both parties failed to agree on wage percentage as they held a four-hour fresh negotiation in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) on Wednesday, July 31.
However, both sides have agreed to reconvene for talks on August 14 and 15. Labour has been asked by the government to attend the forthcoming meeting with an open mind.
While the government’s 10-man team was led by a permanent secretary in the OSGF, Adekunle Lawal. Labour’s 10 negotiating leaders were headed by Comrade Simon Achebe, the acting chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.
According to reports, during the meeting, insisted on 29% wage increase for those on levels 07 to 14 and 24% for top civil servants on levels 15-17.
However, the government’s team insisted on 9.5% to 10% for workers on levels 7-14 and 5% to 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.
According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, “Again, the negotiation by the two parties was not far-reaching at all. Labour only made one percent concession from 30% increase for levels 07 to 14 to 29%.
“Also, it shifted from its demand for 25% wage increase for workers from levels 15- 17 to 24%.
“The federal government stuck to its offers of 9.5% to 10% for workers on levels 7-14 and 5% to 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.
“After about four hours, there was no headway. The government’s team advised labour to “come with an open mind” to the next meeting.
“The meeting was deadlocked. The two parties will reconvene on August 14 and 15 for resumption of negotiation.”
Speaking on negotiations at the state level, a labour source reportedly stated: “Nothing concrete can be done now because the outcome of the talks at the federal level will serve as a template for negotiation in the 36 states.
“It is after the conclusion of our negotiation that the Joint Negotiating Council in each state will have to open discussions with state governors on percentage increase across board.
“Labour has directed its state chapters to await the final outcome with the federal government before beginning talks with state governments. So, no implementation of minimum wage yet in the 36 states.”
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Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government was unable to implement the new N30,000 minimum wage, following its approval months ago, as it continued to disagree with labour unions over how to calculate percentage increase across all levels of public service.
In addition to the adjustments of the minimum wage of those who are already on level one to level six to reflect the new minimum wage, to ensure equity, the government had also proposed a consequential salary adjustment of N10,000 per month across the board.
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Source: Legit.ng
