Minister of labour and employment Chris Ngige yesterday clarified that the federal government is currently not reviewing workers’ salaries but only making some peculiar allowances.
This came after media reports last week that the government was reviewing salaries of public and civil servants which was a fall out of his interaction with State House correspondents when the minister met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Villa.
However, according to a statement issued in Abuja by the ministry’s deputy director, press and public relations, Olajide Oshundun, Ngige noted that the increase he talked about was on the remunerations and emoluments of the affected workers, especially the civil servants.
He said; “For the avoidance of doubt, the honourable minister made it clear to the press corps that it is still work in progress and that the end-product of this review of allowances will be submitted to Mr President for consideration and final approval and that this was one of the labour issues he briefed him on that day.
“It’s hoped that this rightful step which the federal government had embarked upon on compassionate grounds without any prodding or threat to strike will help to cushion the debilitating effects of spiraling inflation especially that which affects food and energy prices.
“The honourable minister wishes to clarify that the increase he talked about was on the remunerations and emoluments of the affected workers especially the civil servants.
The Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) received recommendations for review of allowances of many Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government. Because salary component is not being reviewed for now by the committee, it addressed the allowances component of the requests including the peculiar allowance for Federal Civil Servants amongst others”, he added.
