The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has shattered hopes for a pay raise for civil and government employees.
He continued by saying that in labor jargon, remuneration, or emoluments, consist of a wage component and an earned allowance component, and serve as par payment for compensation for job performed.
Therefore, the workers’ Unions, represented by the two labor federations of workers in Nigeria—the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—could not have been involved in the Federal Government’s PCS’s review of pay (TUC). A Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is typically the result of salary review or renegotiation, which is a social conversation that involves both employers and employees.
Ngige claimed he briefed him on a number of labor-related topics that day, including this one, and made it plain to the press corps that the review of allowances is still in progress and will be forwarded to the President for deliberation and ultimate approval.
He added that It is hoped that this rightful step, which the Federal Government had taken on compassionate grounds without any prodding or threat of strike, will help to cushion the debilitating effects of spiraling inflation, especially that which affects food and energy prices (electricity and petroleum products).
The Minister reaffirmed the committee’s optimism that the proposals will be received and taken into consideration by the President by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
