FG To Increase Workers’ Salary 2 Months To Presidential Election

Two months to Nigeria’s Presidential election scheduled for February 25, 2023, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has disclosed that workers’ salary will be increased.

The rise in cost of living has compelled the Federal Government to review workers’ salary after inflation hit 21.47 per cent in November 2022, compared to the 15.4 per cent rate same month last year. 

Ngige had made the salary increment known after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Prime Business Africa gathered the Presidential Committee on Salaries are working with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission for upward review of salaries. 

“Yes, that’s what I am saying, that the Presidential Committee on Salaries is working hand-in-hand with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission. The commission is mandated by the Act establishing them to fix salaries, wages, and emoluments in not only the public service. 

“If you want their assistance and you are in the private sector, they will also assist you. They have what is called the template for remuneration, for compensation. So, if you work, you get compensated, if you don’t work, you will not be compensated. 

“So they have the matrix to do the evaluation, so they are working with the Presidential Committee on Salaries Chaired by the finance ministry and I’m the co-chair to look at the demands of the workers. Outside this, I said discussions on that evaluation are going.” 

Speaking on the time frame of implementing the salary increment, Ngige said, “As we enter the new year government will make some pronouncements in that direction.” 

Budget Office demands suspension of salary increment

Prime Business Africa had reported some months back that the Director General of Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, said the salary increment for workers should be suspended.

Akabueze said the removal of subsidy and suspension of salary increment will provide enough capital for debt servicing to avert public debt crisis.

The Budget Office DG had stated, “The critical steps include the implementation of the relevant recommendations and discontinuation of the PMS subsidy by the end of June next year as announced or earlier date.

“Suspension of new salary increases for government agencies and addressing the issues of pipeline vandalism and reducing oil theft through the reintegration of the war against pipeline vandalism and oil theft by security agencies.”