The Federal Government’s decision to backdate the implementation of the new minimum wage to July 29, 2024, has sparked outrage among labour unions, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejecting the move as unfair.
The decision was revealed following the meeting of the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants, chaired by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack. In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) issued after the meeting, the committee set July 29 as the effective date for the new minimum wage, and recommended the payment of the wage award up until July 28, 2024.
The MoU acknowledged the country’s economic challenges but noted that the decision was made after evaluating the government’s ability to pay and sustain the consequential adjustments. The Nigerian Salary, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has been tasked with generating appropriate salary templates for other salary structures.
However, the labour unions have expressed disappointment with the government's decision to delay the implementation date. Benson Upah, Head of Information for the NLC, described the backdating as "unacceptable."
“The backdating to July is not fair. It is not acceptable,” Upah told journalists on Friday, insisting that the government had previously indicated that the new minimum wage would take effect earlier.
National Vice President of the TUC, Timmy Etim, echoed Upah’s concerns, pointing out that the government had earlier promised that the minimum wage would take effect on May 1, 2024, during the May Day celebrations.
“The Minister of State for Labour said the new minimum wage would take effect from May 1st. It is unfair for the government to renege on this promise, especially with the current socio-economic challenges in the country,” Etim said. He added that workers had been battling rising inflation and economic hardship and that the delay in wage implementation would exacerbate their struggles.
Meanwhile, civil servants across the country have expressed frustration with the government's perceived lack of urgency. Some workers described the delay in implementing the N70,000 minimum wage as insensitive to their plight.
A teacher in Ogun State, identified as Ms. Oladele, who has been struggling to provide for her family, lamented the government's failure to act decisively. “It’s the height of wickedness for the government to ignore the suffering of the people after the removal of the fuel subsidy and other economic pressures,” she said.
Another civil servant from Osun State, speaking anonymously, said the delay had worsened the financial hardship faced by workers. “This government has done nothing to relieve us. The delay in implementing the minimum wage makes the poor poorer,” he said.
Labour unions are now calling on the Federal Government to honour its initial promise and implement the new minimum wage with effect from May 1, 2024, and have warned that further delays could lead to industrial action.
The Federal Government, however, has reassured workers that it is working to alleviate the impact of economic challenges, including considering tax waivers and other incentives for workers to ease their burden.
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