The Federal Government has hinted it will soon make pronouncement on salary increase for civil and public servants to cushion high inflation in the country.
It said the Presidential Committee on Salaries has already begun a review and is expected to come up with an adjustment in the new year. Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, gave the indication after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ngige, who said his mission was to discus issues concerning his ministry, including employment and productivity, also described 2022 as a year of industrial dispute.
The minister had, recently, suggested the government would adjust workers’ salaries to meet up with economic realities in the country. Speaking on salary increase, which formed the crux of his parley with the President, in the light of the rising inflation, he said: “Yes, 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 its establishing Act 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.
“They have the matrix to do the evaluation. 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 workers.”
On whether a timeline has been fixed for implementation of the new salary increase, he said: “As we enter the new year, government will make some pronouncements in that direction.”
