21 September 2011, Sweetcrude, Abuja- The Nigerian government has approved a 50 per cent salary increment for workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
Disclosing this in Abuja, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, said the salary increase was a show of commitment on the part of the government to the welfare of the workers.
“The Federal Government has approved the payment of 50 per cent salary increase as a show of its commitment to the welfare of the staff of PHCN,” he said.
The labour minister, who also dispelled rumours that government may have concluded plans to downsize the PHCN workforce, said government and labour have been trying to resolve labour associated issues in the power reform programme.
He stated that government shall convoke a tripartite meeting of the three social partners to resolve all labour issues that may arise from the on-going reform exercise in the power sector.
He said: “Of late, the trade unions have expressed apprehension over what they called ‘subterranean moves’ by government to rationalise PHCN workers.
“I want to use this opportunity to reassure our esteemed stakeholders that there is no basis for their apprehension and fear as government is irrevocably committed to the imperatives of social dialogue on all labour related issues in our match towards power stability in the country.”
Wogu also invited labour to the discussion table in order to address all misgivings in the reform plans as shortlisted investors are expected to go through due-diligence exercise scheduled for next month.
In order to determine the exact number of casual workers in PHCN’s employ, the minister said the government has commissioned a consultant to carry out biometric audit of existing casual in the company.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, said in Abuja, yesterday, that government and labour have been trying to resolve labour associated issues in the power reform programme.
