NiMet workers receive minimum wage at last

After weeks of negotiations and industrial action, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency's employees were finally paid the new minimum wage and salary adjustments in May.

The new minimum wage and salary increase for aviation workers was effectively implemented in May, according to an official of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals. However, because of technological difficulties, arrears are anticipated to be paid by the end of July.

Speaking about the slow advancement of workers' demands, the official clarified that the Director-General of the aviation authority had been informed of all outstanding difficulties.

“So, we just noted all the items that have not been resolved yet and told the Director-General to take note and start going to the relevant authorities to make sure that the things we are requesting are being done, for example, the implementation of a new minimum wage,” the official said.

The source claims that the aviation minister's assistance was crucial in making the implementation possible: "The minister personally phoned the DG; following the meeting, they called the DG and instructed them to visit the Accountant General's office, do any necessary tasks, and ensure that our funds arrive in May."

The official attested to the fact that the payment was processed as directed: "Luckily for us, that was how it transpired; it was the implementation."

"The condition of service is already done; the DG has signed and given it to the Minister, so the Minister will be the one to take it to the Salary Wages Commission for approval," the official said, referring to other outstanding issues. The new condition of service had already been signed by the DG and sent to the Minister, who would then forward it to the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission for approval.

The official maintained that development is happening, noting, “Most of our requests gradually are being met. I am not sure what specifically you need to know.

According to the official, the subsistence stipend was given first, and then the minimum wage was fully implemented.

"The first payment we received was the subsistence allowance, and following that, we had the new minimum wage implemented," he clarified.

The increment's specifics included a new minimum salary and a progressive pay increase for all levels.

"It was 25–35 percent increments then N70,000 minimum wage," he continued. They did the math. Every level is different. The percentage increases as the levels decrease. The percentage then decreases as the level increases.

Every level received a different percentage. A few levels received 33%. The level determines this. However, the junior employee was the only one who gained more than the senior employees.

Arrears that were supposed to be paid by the end of June have been postponed because of a system upgrade, even though the new wage and percentage increases were implemented in May.

“The N70,000 minimum wage and the 25–35 per cent salary increment were what were implemented in the month of May, and the arrears were supposed to come this June ending. But unfortunately, I think IPPIS is having a system upgrade. So I think the arrears will be coming in by the end of July,” the official explained.

Recall that NiMet staff went on a nationwide strike in May 2024 over unpaid wage arrears and poor working conditions.

Some of the unions, including NUATE, AUPCTRE, and ANAP, issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding payment of 45 months’ minimum wage arrears dating back to 2019.

The ultimatum cited poor working conditions, unresolved staff welfare issues, and the non-implementation of approved financial benefits as major concerns.

Despite several letters, meetings, and promises, staff had yet to receive the statutory adjustments to their salaries or subsistence allowances, leading to heightened tensions in the agency.