The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has disclosed plans to increase civil and public servants’ salaries next year.

The minister, who made the disclosure after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, said the increment would cushion the effect of rising inflation in the country.

He added that the Presidential Committee on Salaries was already doing a review and was expected to come up with a salary adjustment in the New Year.

“Yes, that’s what I am saying that the Presidential Committee on Salaries is working hand-in-hand with the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission.

“The commission is mandated by the Act establishing them to fix salaries, wages, and emoluments in not only the public service.”

“As we enter the New Year, government will make some pronouncements in that direction,” he added.

Speaking on the eight month’s outstanding salary arrears for the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Mr Ngige said the matter was before the court.

According to him, the court would give a proper interpretation of section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act on the “no work, no pay” policy invoked by the government during the strike period.

“ASUU has not pronounced anything on their salaries anymore because it’s one of the issues that were referred to the National Industrial Court for determination, whether a worker who is on strike should be paid in violation of section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act which says when you go on strike, the consequences are these: number one, you will not be paid, you will not be compensated for not going to work to enable your employer keep the industry or enterprise afloat.

“That money should not be given to you, and that compensation should not be given. It’s there in Section 43 (1). There is a second leg to section 43; it also said that that period you were on strike will not count for you as part of your pensionable period of work in your service. That leg, the government has not touched it, but the leg of no-work-no-pay has been triggered off by that strike,” he explained.

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