Labour unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have suspended their planned strike action, originally set to commence on Monday, May 20, 2024.
The decision followed a significant agreement reached on Sunday, May 19, 2024, during a special session convened by the House Committee on Aviation and Technology.
The session, which started at 2 PM and concluded at 9:35 PM, was marked by intense deliberations aimed at resolving the grievances of NiMet staff.
Honourable Abiodun Akinlade Ishaq, who chaired the meeting, announced the suspension of the strike after about nine hours of discussions between NiMet management and its labour unions.
Hon. Ishaq outlined the resolutions, stating that all issues raised by NiMet’s labour unions would be addressed within four weeks. These include the payment of outstanding salary arrears. “Within this period, all outstanding arrears will be paid,” he confirmed.
The House Committee on Aviation Technology resolved that a committee would be established by NiMet on Monday, May 20, to review the conditions of service for NiMet staff, including two members from the labour unions.
Additionally, a sub-committee, chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Technology, will liaise with the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, IPPIS, and other relevant agencies to ensure prompt payment of arrears.
Furthermore, the National Income Salary and Wages Commission will review NiMet’s salary scale. The union agreed to suspend the strike pending the resolution of these issues within the stipulated four-week period.
“The union has agreed to work harmoniously with the Director General and management of NiMet,” Hon. Ishaq added.
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The Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Sikiru Waheed, expressed gratitude for the intervention. He emphasized that the unions were not interested in disrupting operations but sought justice for long-standing grievances.
“NiMet staff have been extremely patient, dealing with 45 months of unpaid consequential adjustments of salary,” he stated.
The Director General of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, acknowledged the workforce’s importance and assured that the management is committed to resolving the issues.
He highlighted that efforts have been ongoing since his appointment, despite the complexities of the situation.
During the discussion regarding the efforts made to secure the payment of NiMET workers, NiMET DFA Akoji Yusuf highlighted the outstanding salary adjustment for four years, totaling eight hundred and seventeen million, two hundred eighty-seven thousand, one hundred and sixty-four naira (N817,287,164.81).
He stated that this amount has been approved, and the management has followed the necessary procedures by submitting requests through the Ministry, Budget Office, and the Presidential Committee on Salary, chaired by the Minister of Finance.
The approval was granted for the payment of the outstanding salary adjustment.
“This has been approved, the management wrote through the ministry, budget Office, and there was a presidential committee on salary which was chaired by minister of finance and this request was approved that this amount should be paid. Based on that approval we swung into action to follow up and ensure that this money is being paid,” he said.
