Federal Government on Sunday evening disclosed that pensioners in the country will also benefit from the new minimum wage.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige disclosed this in Abuja during an interview that the issue of adjustment in wages is a constitutional matter under Section 173 of the Nigerian Constitution as amended.
According to him, “It is a constitutional issue. Section 173 of 1999 as amended prescribes that pensions are reviewable whenever there is a salary review in the public service or every five years whichever comes first.
However now that we are doing a minimum wage
consequential review or adjustment of wages in the public service, the pension
will also be consequentially reviewed or adjusted. “So, they will benefit, they
will also smile because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.”
The Imo state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday said that
pensioners in his state have started smiling. Ihedioha through his Senior
Special Assistant on Information and Advocacy, Adaora Onyechere, spoke to
newsmen in Owerri, concerning the commencement of payment of over 24,000
pensioners in the state by the government.
