Labour kicks against FG’s new minimum wage payment date

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to backdate the implementation of the new minimum wage to July 2024.

A meeting of the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants, held on Friday, had agreed to set July 29, 2024, as the effective date for the new minimum wage.

This agreement was outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) issued at the meeting, which was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.

The Committee, led by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, also recommended that the wage award, which had been discontinued, should be paid up to July 28, 2024.

The government’s decision reportedly took into consideration the prevailing economic conditions in the country.

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“The Committee held four meetings and considered all presentations by the Federal Government and Trade Union Sides. It also considered the economic situation and ability of Federal Government to pay and sustain any consequential adjustment in salaries arising from the implementation of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as the effect on other employers,” the MoU stated.

However, in response, the Head of Information for the NLC, Benson Upah, dismissed the decision, saying, “The backdating to July is not fair. It is not acceptable.”

Similarly, the National Vice President of the TUC, Timmy Etim, expressed disappointment, noting that workers were initially told by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, during May Day celebrations that the new wage would take effect in May.

“The Minister of State for Labour, during the May Day, said that the payment of the new national minimum wage would take effect from May 1st. I am surprised if they have changed and I don’t know the parameter they used for the change. But it will be unfair for the government to do that taking cognizance of the socio-economic challenges,” he said.

Labour kicks against FG’s new minimum wage payment date

Lagos taskforce deploys motorcycles to fight ‘one- chance’ robbers

The Lagos State Taskforce has increased its efforts to curb the rising threat of “one chance” operators and traffic-related crimes by deploying additional patrol motorcycles across key areas in the state.

This action follows numerous complaints from the public after the agency’s initial rollout of Max S Bikes in August.

According to the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, the reinforcements will help intensify patrol operations, particularly in high-risk areas such as Agege Motor Road, Fagba, Gbagada Expressway, Iyana-Oworo, and Oshodi Expressway.

“The deployment of additional patrol units will significantly improve our ability to respond swiftly to incidents, track down criminals, and ensure the safety of all motorists,” said Akerele.

“The Lagos State Taskforce remains committed to maintaining law and order within the metropolis, ensuring that all citizens can travel without fear of robbery or other criminal activities,” he continued.

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Akerele highlighted the urgent need for enhanced security, given the high number of public complaints about “one chance” robberies, where unsuspecting commuters are lured into vehicles and robbed of their belongings.

He assured Lagosians that the increased number of patrol bikes will create a greater sense of safety and help reduce traffic crimes. “We want the public to know that we are actively working to make Lagos safer,” he added.

Akerele also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency through their designated hotline at 08089705008 or via their social media platforms.

The Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, echoed the Chairman’s call for public cooperation, emphasizing that these new measures will not only curb crime but also improve environmental safety across the city.

The additional motorcycles are expected to enhance mobility for Taskforce officers, enabling quicker responses to emergencies and ensuring that crime hotspots are more closely monitored.

Lagos taskforce deploys motorcycles to fight ‘one- chance’ robbers

86 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty – AAN

The ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has said that not less than 86 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty.

The organisation said this yesterday in Abuja at the end of its ‘Austerity campaign launch with the theme; Public Discourse on Ending Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria’.

Country Director of AAN, Mr Andrew Mamedu, speaking at the launch said the underlying cause of this poverty is rooted in the heavy burden of austerity measures, imposed as part of broader macroeconomic policies in the country.

The report said that multidimensional poverty is higher in the rural areas, where 72 percent of people are considered poor and also constitute approximately 70 percent of all Nigeria population who live in the rural areas compared to 72 percent of people in the urban areas.

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Mamedu said that in communities across Nigeria, where austerity measures have led to the withdrawal of social services, it is women who step into the void, providing unpaid care work at the expense of their economic independence and well-being.

“According to the austerity report, Nigeria has more than 64 percent or more representation of women in senior positions, but women earn only 50 percent of the income earned by men.

“The barriers to women’s advancement are deeply entrenched, from discriminatory laws and practices to limited access to resources and opportunities.

“Despite efforts to close the gender gap, the lack of investment in women’s economic empowerment has only widened the disparities,” Mamedu said.

Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, represented by the Director Macro Economy Analysis, Felix Okonkwo, said addressing poverty is essential, not only for economic growth, but also for preventing conflict, insecurity and mitigating the effects of climate change.

86 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty – AAN