By Chibuzor Emejor
Abuja
Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) has inaugurated the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries, arising from provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.
In her opening remarks at the inauguration ceremony on Friday in Abuja, Walson-Jack explained that the Consequential Adjustment in Salaries is imperative in order to maintain a fair and equitable salary structure for Federal Civil Servants as a result of the minimum wage now fixed at N70,000, representing 133.33% increase from the previous minimum wage.
She added that there is a need to adjust the salaries of other categories of staff, taking into consideration the consequential effect of the new minimum wage.
She explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,has increased the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000,with an assurance that it would be reviewed after three years, instead of the statutory five years through the Minimum Wage Amendment Act.
According to her, “This singular act, is aimed at enhancing the economic wellbeing of the working populace of Nigeria, in view of current economic realities.
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“It is expected that this increase, will improve workers commitment to their jobs and in turn, increase productivity.”
She further explained that to implement the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, the Federal Government approved the constitution of a Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries comprising 16 members made up of Eight (8) each, from the Federal Government and Trade Union sides to be chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The members of the Committee from the Federal Government side include the Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Permanent Secretary, Fed. Ministry of Labour Employment, Permanent Secretary, General Service Office (OSGF), Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (OHCSF), Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Secretary, National Assembly Service Commission and Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission.
Other members of the Committee drawn from the Labour side include Comrade Benjamin Anthony, National Chairman, JNPSNC (TUS) and National Vice President NLC,Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, National President – NCSU and National Vice President NLC, Comrade Roselyn Uba Anarah – National President, NUPSRAW
Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, National President – MHWUN,Comrade Michael Nnachi, National President, NAMMN and
Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, Acting National Secretary – JNPSNC (Trade Union Side).
According to Walson-Jack, the Terms of Reference of the Committee include
“to negotiate and agree on the consequential adjustments in salaries arising from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024; and to develop the template for ease of implementation of the approved N70,000 minimum wage.”
She therefore, urged the Committee to execute the assignment in the best interests of the public service and the nation as a whole, adding that, “It is crucial for us to recognise the significance of this assignment, and with a focus on maintaining industrial peace and harmony.”
Also speaking, National Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, expressed commitment that the Committee would work assiduously to come up with consequential adjustments in salaries of the Federal Civil Servants.
