The Federal Government has constituted a committee on the harmonisation of salaries of both public and civil servants in the Federal Service.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, made this known in Abuja at the opening of the Separate and Joint Meetings of the National Public Service Negotiating Councils.
She said the Harmonisation Committee has gone far with the assignment, assuring that the Committee would round-off its task soon.
She noted that the Committee was also saddled with responsibility of comparing what the private sector workers earn with what public servants earn, to forestall short-changing the public sector workers.
Dr Yemi-Esan also acknowledged that the current salaries of the workers are still very low in view of the current economic realities.
She however warned civil servants to step up their game and be productive, lamenting that in various government offices, workers have been seen loitering and engaging in other unwholesome activities.
According to her, “civil servants should be more ready to sit up and do the work that is expected of them. Because, there is going to be sanction and consequences. There is abundant responsibility that comes with increase in salaries.
“I continue to tell anybody who cares to hear. Over the years, we have made civil service a dumping ground for all kinds of people.
The HCSF, who charged workers to stem up their game and embark on self development, further commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration for ensuring prompt payment of workers salaries and its commitment to ensure workers were not sacked amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
She said, “A report released in September 2021 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), revealed that about 20 percent of the fulltime workforce in Nigeria lost employment during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“Fortunately, for us in the public sector and in his (President) understanding and continued commitment to the welfare of civil servants and as part of the Administration’s response to mitigate the adverse economic effects of COVID-19, it is worth noting that Mr President ensured that no civil servant was owed salaries or laid off.”
In his remarks, President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Waba, underscored the need for dialogue between the government and labour unions.
Waba posited that the centre point of any development should be people centred.
While commending the Federal Government for the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage, he pointed out that the minimum wage should not stop regular review or adjustment of salaries in the public service.
He also advocated the provision of affordable housing for civil servants, adding that with the syrocketing prices of building materials, many workers cannot afford to build their own houses.
Waba also urged the government to provide vehicle revolving loans and Mass Transit Buses to ease the transportation difficulties of workers.
He further advised the government to ensure inclusivity in its reform process, stressing the need for union leaders to be carried along in various reform processes.
On the use of consultants in the execution of civil service work, Waba urged the Federal Government to desist from the practice and provide enabling environment for workers to thrive. (THEWILL)
