ASCSN seeks automation of national minimum wage structure
Ayuba Wabba
The automation of the national minimum wage will reduce politicisation and inflationary trends associated with a wage increase in Nigeria, National President of Association of Senior Civil Service of Nigeria (ASCSN), Dr Tommy Okon has said.
Speaking with The Guardian in Abuja, Okon argued that unnecessary politicization of the minimum wage negotiation tends to lead to increment in the prices of goods and services upon completion which erode the expected gain.
His argument: “I think that the Federal Government should begin to look at the review of the minimum wage by automating new wage structure. Instead of embarking on unending negotiations and wasting time, we all know what should go to grade levels 01 to 06, 07 to 10 and 12 and above. Why don’t we automate the system once every five years? Workers will wake up and see alerts on their phones without the razzmatazz of unwanted publicity that heralds the national wage floor. Automation will reduce inflation that always follows salary increments. This is what happens in the private sector. So, when the government begins to make propaganda about the minimum wage, that erodes all the gains.”
He also hinted that plans are underway to send 300 workers on various types of training within and outside of the country to broaden their knowledge on labour relations in 2022.
“The association is one of the unions that lay emphasis on training and capacity building. This shows that the ASCSN is driven by vision. Our slogan is ‘study and wait’ because opportunities wait for no one. It is human beings that prepare for opportunities. Once you study and wait, definitely opportunities will surely come,” he said.
While calling on the government to seek foreign help to combat the raging insecurity in the land, Okon said the efforts by the government to attract foreign investment will be a nullity if the county is not secured.
In getting a localised solution, Okon said: “I think our young graduates should be given a one-year compulsory military training rather than sending them to offices to carry files and engage in activities that add no value to the country. I think the government should focus the NYSC on military training and agriculture endeavours.”
As the county approaches the 2023 general elections, the ASCSN boss insisted that it is a high time the old generation yielded the political space to the younger generation.
“The older generation should abide by the biblical position that old men shall dream dreams and young men shall see visions. They should allow young persons to come into power so that they can be driven by vision. Nigeria should have a President that can walk around construction sites to see things for himself. We need Ministers that are driven by knowledge and strong vision. Efficient leadership is anchored on availability, accessibility, acceptability and accountability. When we have this kind of leader, we will be operating a fear-factor system.
Nigerians must see governance as a sacred place meant only for the prepared and ready individuals with impeccable credentials that can push the country towards the desired point,” he submitted.
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