The Federal Government has set a presidential panel on salary increments for civil servants in order to reflect the increase in the prices of consumer goods.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that the panel is currently reviewing salaries with a plan to announce its decision in early 2023.
Investors King could recall that the Minister of Labour and Employment had earlier insinuated that the FG will review the salaries of civil servants upwards to cushion the effect of inflation.
While speaking to journalists, Ngige said “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”.
Citing the 8-month-long ASUU strike and strikes by medical practitioners earlier in the year, the minister further noted that 2022 was a tough year for the ministry. He described 2022 as “a year of industrial dispute.”
It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Universities embarked on an industrial strike over unfulfilled agreements with the Federal Government. Thereby paralysing academic activities in universities across Nigeria.
While the Federal Government had a rough year with labour unions, Ngige, however acknowledged that the private sector was able to manage its affairs better. He noted that there was calm in the private sector, unlike the public sector.
“They could do collective bargaining very easily with their workers. The banking sector, food and beverage, finance, and insurance, everywhere. So, there is calm there. We didn’t have the desired calmness on the government’s side because of the government’s finances”.
When asked when there will be an update on the salary review, the minister said “as we enter the New Year, the government will make some pronouncements in that direction. Hopefully, within available resources, the government can do something in the coming year.”
