Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Federal Government has assured federal public servants that payment of the outstanding wage award will commence before the middle of August, while outstanding promotion arrears are also being processed.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
The minister said government had already begun addressing many of the issues raised by the union and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to workers.
“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” the Minister said.
Oyedele disclosed that the release for payment of the outstanding wage award was being concluded and expressed confidence that eligible public servants would begin receiving the payment before the middle of August.
He added that outstanding promotion arrears, including the remaining batches, were also being processed in line with established procedures.
Earlier, JPSNC National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, appealed for the speedy resolution of pending labour issues, including the outstanding wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers and other welfare matters.
He said timely implementation of the outstanding commitments would strengthen industrial harmony and boost workers confidence in government’s commitment to their welfare.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which was omitted during an earlier payment exercise, is now being processed alongside Batch 9, while the government is also working with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to address the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour issues.
Director of Cash Management at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Christiana Osho, said reconciliation of the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the payment release was at its final stage.
She explained that once the release is effected, eligible public servants would begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while processing of promotion arrears would continue in line with the approved schedule.
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