FG Can Afford Pay Rise For Workers - Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Productivity, has disclosed that the moves made by the Buhari-led administration to increase the payment of 144,766 federal civil servants under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure cannot be considered unreasonable because the workers deserve more.

Keyamo, who spoke with our Punch in an exclusive interview in Abuja on Saturday, also said the pay rise is something the government can afford.

That there have been criticisms following the announcement of the peculiar allowance for civil servants. Certain finance experts described the introduction of the allowance as a “trap for the incoming administration.”

But Keyamo said, “The new package for workers cannot be unreasonable under our present circumstances. In fact, Nigerian workers deserve more. The issue is the funding. I think when the new government removes subsidy and explores some others means to fund our budgets, the government can afford it.”

Workers under the CONPSS were paid peculiar allowances alongside their salaries for the month of April with arrears of January to March 2023 paid alongside.

Earlier, the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, explained that the government introduced the allowance for civil servants in view of the current economic reality, and it is meant to help government workers to cushion the effects of rising inflation, the rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariffs.