The Federal Government has announced that the processing of the N35,000 wage award for January and February 2024 is underway, responding to recent criticisms from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) about its commitment to fulfilling agreements made with labour unions.
This development follows accusations from the TUC, which claimed the government was not taking serious steps towards implementing the pact signed with organized labour.
In a clarifying statement issued on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, addressed these concerns by highlighting the government’s actions regarding the wage award.
According to Onyejeocha, the Federal Government has already disbursed the wage award for four out of the six months covered by the agreement with the labour unions.
The minister emphasized the government’s dedication to honoring its commitments, stating, “The Federal Government has reviewed the commitments made with the organized labour in the agreement entered with labour and wishes to state that very substantial progress has been made.”
The statement reads, “Government has reviewed the commitments made with the Organized Labour in the agreement entered with Labour and wish to state that very substantial progress has been made in the following areas:
“(i) On the payment of wage award of N35,000 for Six Months, the Government has so far paid for four months up to 31st December, 2023. The remaining two months of January and February, 2024 are being processed.
“(ii) On the Minimum Wage Committee, Government has on 30th January, 2024, inaugurated a 37 Member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to review and come up with an acceptable and sustainable Minimum Wage for the Nigerian Workers. The Committee has so far held two meetings and discussions are on-going.
“(iii) With respect to the suspension of collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for Six Months beginning from October, 2023, this was effected immediately. It is on record, that no one has been subjected to this form of taxation since October, 2023.
“(iv) On the provision of CNG Buses and conversion Kits, Government has so far made substantial financial commitments in this area. These busses will be rolled out very soon to alleviate the transportation challenges being faced by Nigerians.
“(v) On the issue of various tax incentives as contained in the agreement, Government has commenced series of engagements with relevant stakeholders while all necessary machineries are being put in place for effective implementation.
“(vi) On the Leadership Crises rocking NURTW and RTEAN, Government waded into the matter and the issue has been amicably resolved. The Lagos State Government was mandated to address the matter and as we speak, the Executive Body of the Union has been inaugurated and all contending issues are resolved.
“(vii) With respect to the outstanding Salaries and wages of Tertiary Education workers in Federal Owned Educational Institutions, Government has paid in full the four months outstanding salaries to ASUU as approved by Mr. President. Action is on-going with respect to other Unions as well.
“(viii) So far, 3,140,819 households including vulnerable Pensioners have benefitted from the N25,000 monthly conditional cash transfer amounting to N68.3 Billion before the temporary suspension of the programme.
“(ix) With respect to the issue of subsidized distribution of Fertilizers to Farmers across the Country, Government has made tremendous progress in this regard to ensure effective distribution to farmers to boast agricultural production.
“(x) Government has constantly engaged various State Governments and the Private Sector on the issue of the implementation of wage award for their workers and this has been receiving favourable compliance by State Governments. Government will continue to use all relevant channels to ensure sustainability of the programmes.
“(xi) In order to encourage Micro and Small Enterprises as contained in Mr. President’s Broadcast on 1st August, 2023 to the Nation, plans have reached an advanced stage to accelerate the process of job creation through the release of funds to Micro and Small Scale business.
“(xii) In order to ascertain the level of rehabilitation of the Refineries in the country, a joint visitation by Government and Organized Labour was successfully carried out today, 21st February, 2024 and it was established that the Port-Harcourt Refinery is 80% completed. Production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will commence before the end of the year.
“In conclusion, the Federal Government is committed to social dialogue with organized labour and other stakeholders towards achieving industrial peace and harmony, while prioritizing workers welfare.”
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