National Minimum wage

ABUJA – The Federal High Court (FHC) Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Monday, locked out judges, lawyers, staff and litigants from accessing the court following the indefinite strike declared by its national body.

A check by newsmen at the FHC headquarters located along Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja revealed that all the entrance gates into the high-rise building were under lock.

Judges, staff, lawyers, litigants and members of the public were denied access as business activities in and around the court were paralysed

Reports that JUSUN national body had, on May 30 in a circular by its acting National Secretary, M.J Akwashiki, asked all its chapters’ chairmen to effective from midnight Sunday, June 1, direct all their members to stay at home.

It said that, “This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment who was conciliating on our matter.

“We believe that as directed by the organs of the union, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us 5 months wage award, implement the %70.000 National Minimum Wage, as well as the 25/35 percent salary increase Solidarity for ever.”

Efforts to have a chat with some of the executive members of the union were unsuccessful as they were said to be on meeting.

Although there were reports that some chapters of the union had backed out from the industrial action, as at 9:48am, the Federal High Court gates were still under lock and keys.(NAN)

By Chibuike Nwabuko

ABUJA FCT – Precise Post can aurhoritatively report that federal government has appointed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack as the Chairman of the 16-member committee on consequential adjustment in salaries arising from the National.Minimum wage Act 2024.

The committee comprises of 16-members made up of 8 members each, from the Federal Government and the Trade Union sides, the circular signed by Fatima s.I Mohammed (Mrs), Permanent Secretary(Career Management Office), for the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said.

The Committee is to negotiate and agree on the consequential salary adjustments arising from the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.

Recall that the federal government had during wage negotiation with the organised labour couple of months ago, agreed to pay N70,000 as the new minimum wage and both parties agreed that it is subject to review every three years instead of the former five years.

See the details below:

By Chris Udochukwu

ABUJA FCT – The Nigerian Senate and the National Council for Women Society ( NCWS), have sought for inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum Wage Scheme .

Call for inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum wage , came from both institutions at the National Assembly in Abuja during public hearing on a bill seeking for an Act to provide for Domestication and Registration of domestic workers and Employers in Nigeria ,

The public hearing on the bill sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini ( APC Jigawa North West) , was organized by the Senate Committee on Employment , Labour and Productivity chaired by Senator Diket Plang ( APC Plateau Central) .

Senate’s call for inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum Wage Scheme, specially came from Senator Osita Izunaso ( APC Imo West), during his remarks at the public hearing.

He said: ” As a member of this committee, I feel strongly that part of the provisions to be included in this bill, is to include the domestic workers, be it house maid or servants in the proposed N70, 000 National Minimum wage law.

“As N70, 000 is being planned to be the least wage for the lowest public workers, so should be the case for least domestic workers.

“We are going to put it in the bill for implementation by all employers”.

He however suggested that instead of domestication and protection of domestic workers and employers, the intendment of the bill should be changed to registration and protection of domestic workers and their employers.

In a similar call, the Acting National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldeen Etuk, argued for inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed National Minimum Wage law.

However during interview at the sideline of the event, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini said though he was elated by the general support the bill got from the various stakeholders, from the Minister of Labour to other relevant stakeholders but practical implementation of the additional scope of inclusion of domestic workers in the national minimum wage is what is somewhat doubtful.

“There is no point making a law that cannot be implemented but I’m happy that the generality of stakeholders at the public hearing, supported the bill and by extension, the proposed law.

Earlier in his remarks during the session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Diket Plang, said an agency will surely be set up for implementation of the proposed law, but the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, will drive the operation from the onset.