ICYMI: Labour kicks as RMAFC okays Politicians salary hike

Members of the organized labour has kicked against the planned increase of politicians, and judicial office holders salary by Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC).

The Chairman of the commission,  Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu, who was represented by the RMAFC commissioner from  Kebbi State, Mrs Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, disclosed this on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, during the presentation of the reviewed remuneration package of political and judicial office holders to the state Governor, Dr Nasir Idris.

Commenting on the proposed Politicians salary hike, the organised labour described it as provocative because of the fuel subsidy removal pain Nigerians were going through

The RMAFC suggested an upward increase in salary of about 114%, having considered that the consumer price index of some selected baskets of commodities have collectively grown by an average of 371% from 2008 to 2022.

According to NAN, the commission stated that the last review was done in 2007, which led to the 2008 Act on the remuneration of political office holders.

The agency disclosed that it recommended that existing allowances of political office holders be maintained, while three new allowances were introduced for judicial office holders.

These include allowances for a professional development assistant, a long service allowance, and a restricted lifestyle allowance.

NLC reacts to Politicians salary hike

Commenting on the salary review, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Wednesday noted it would provoke Nigerians.

As gathered by The Punch,  the Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, said, “The increment is such that will provoke Nigerians seeing as Nigerians are already groaning under the effect of the subsidy removal among others. The TUC has always called for a reduction in the cost of governance. However, if they still go ahead with it, we are going to use that opportunity to table more allowances for the Nigerian people.”

On its part, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics while reacting, to the proposed Politicians salary hike described the 114 per cent pay rise as provocative and insensitive.

The National President of the union, Dr Anderson Ezeibe,  in an at Abuja,  said, “ The report is provocative and insensitive. It is difficult to see the rationale behind such a move by the government in a country where the working class has been groaning under severe economic pains.

“While the staff unions in the tertiary education sector have been negotiating a wage increase with the government since 2017 and the government showing a lack of commitment to the process, the same government is busy awarding themselves such pay rise.

“The citizens are still suffering from the impact of the removal of subsidy on PMS, increase in electricity tariff and the attendant implications on their wellbeing only to see such “reward” which can only encourage opulence and oppression by the political class.

“It is an affront to Labour as the Labour movement is still trying to come to terms with the reality of the economic situation in the country and negotiating some palliatives from the same government. It is disappointing.”

Other articles on RNN

Subsidy Removal: FG, Labour set up committees, to reconvene within eight weeks

Subsidy removal: GTBank doubles salaries of junior staff

Top 10 Richest Yoruba Celebrities 2023