The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has issued a strong warning to states that are reluctant to implement the new N70,000 national minimum wage, threatening to disrupt their operations if they do not comply.
Shehu Muhammed, the newly elected President of ASCSN, delivered this warning during the association’s 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos, where he assumed his new role.
Muhammed underscored the inevitability of adopting the new minimum wage, stating, “For states not ready to implement the new minimum wage, let me tell you categorically, it is impossible. We are coming for them.”
He urged state governments to adopt the new wage, stressing that it would improve the standard of living for their citizens. Muhammed pointed out that states have seen increased revenue due to higher allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
To facilitate the implementation of the new wage, Muhammed suggested that state governments focus on reducing wasteful spending and addressing financial leakages. He also proposed indexing wages to inflation rates to ensure that they keep pace with the rising cost of living.
As the new ASCSN President, Muhammed emphasized that addressing the new minimum wage is a top priority. He called for the formation of a committee to work on the necessary adjustments for its implementation and to develop strategies that would ensure Nigerian workers earn a living wage.
“The full implementation of the new national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments at both the federal and the 36 states of the federation will be the top priority of Organised Labour.”
Earlier, the Secretary General of the Association, Joshua Apebo argued that following the increase in allocation from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, since the removal of fuel subsidy, the state governors should immediately implement the new minimum wage to improve the standard of living of their citizens.
He said “We request that state governments implement the new national minimum wage to enhance the standard of living for their citizens. This can be achieved by reducing wastages and blocking leakages of government funds. We also advise the government to adopt the policy of indexing income to match inflation rates, as recommended years ago by the Chief Ernest Shonekan committee.”
Delivering a solidarity message, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Festus Osifo, promised to support the new executives to ensure the interests of workers were protected.