Lecturers, doctors and other categories of civil servants under the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure, Consolidated Medical Salary Scale, popularly known as CONMESS, CONHESS, CONTISS salary scales, will benefit from an undisclosed percentage of pay rise, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chris Ngige, disclosed on Monday.

Speaking during the commemoration of the 2023 International Workers’ Day celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja, Ngige noted that the workers will also be paid arrears of the increase from January 2023.

The PUNCH had earlier reported how only the 144,766 federal civil servants under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure benefited from the introduction of the 40 per cent pay rise (peculiar allowance) by the Federal Government.

Addressing the public during the event, Ngige noted that the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission was working towards the finalisation of the increase.

It will also be recalled that since the emergence of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure on the 1st of January, 2007, it has not been reviewed by any of the past administrations, but for the consequential minimum wage adjustment of 2019 for all wage structures under this government in 2019. However, in line with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerian workers, the Federal Government recently worked out the introduction of a 40% Peculiar Allowance into the remuneration and emoluments of core Federal Civil Servants and other public servants on the CONPSS to help cushion the effects of inflation and other costs of doing their works as they are not on any special allowances.

“This demonstrates the government leadership’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and conditions of service even without any Industrial action, but a fallout of social dialogue.

“However, other workers in the other different wage structures like CONHESS, CONMESS CONUAS, CONTISS that started their Collective Bargaining with their Employer even with Industrial action are wounding up their CBAs for the National Salaries Incomes and Wages to transmit same for final treatment as provisions were made in the 2023 Appropriations for them with effect from 1st January 2023”.

Credit: Punch