The Federal Government has assured public servants that payment of outstanding wage awards will be made before the middle of August. This assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with labour leaders in Abuja.
Government's assurance to workers
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Efe Ovuakporie, head of information and public relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Oyedele reaffirmed the Tinubu administration's commitment to fulfilling promises to Nigerian workers through constructive engagement and dialogue. He said the government had already begun addressing several labour concerns before receiving the council's formal communication.
“The objective is to build confidence by ensuring the government honours every commitment made,” the minister said. He directed relevant officials to review the council's submissions and fast-track action on all outstanding matters.
Payment release in final stage
The minister said the release of payment for the outstanding wage award was in its final stage and expressed confidence that eligible workers would begin receiving payments before mid-August. He also acknowledged concerns over implementation delays and pledged greater transparency, consultation and prompt action.
The government further assured workers that outstanding promotion arrears were being processed in line with approved procedures. The Permanent Secretary, Finance, Raymond Omachi, pledged closer collaboration with organised labour and said approved entitlements would be processed without avoidable delays.
Progress on entitlements
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Danjuma, said progress had been made on workers' entitlements. He added that batch seven promotion arrears, previously omitted, were being processed alongside batch nine. Mr Danjuma said the government was also working with relevant agencies to address peculiar allowances and other labour-related issues.
The Director of Cash Management, Christiana Osho, said that reconciliation of the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the release of payment was in its final stage.
Labour's call for prompt action
Earlier, the National President of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, Kabiru Minjibir, urged the government to resolve pending labour issues without further delay. He listed outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears, salary relativity for health workers and peculiar allowance among the unresolved issues.
He said timely implementation would strengthen industrial harmony and boost workers' confidence in the government. The meeting underscores the government's commitment to addressing workers' welfare and maintaining industrial peace in the country.
