Wages Commission Frowns At MDAs’ Failure To Submit Collective Agreements With Employees

AMINA HUSSAINI

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC ) has frowned at the failure of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) to submit collective agreements reached with their employees to the Commission.

The Chairman of the Commission, Ekpo Nta, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Nta said the MDAs’ non-compliance with the requirement of Section 13 of the NSIWC Act can result in a serious issue of enforceability.

He said, “The Commission’s Act No 72, Laws of the Federation 2004 states that ‘Where collective agreements between employers and employees involve increase in wages, salaries and fringe benefits, three copies of the Collective Agreement shall be submitted to the NSIWC for advice’.“This is to, among other things, ensure the reduction of industrial crises associated with the implementation of this agreement and its effects on the economy.

“Non-compliance to this provision has in most cases, contributed to the industrial relation crises in a number of organizations, especially those in the Public Sector.”

The NSIWC chairman directed that henceforth, three copies of all collective agreements between employers and employees involving an increase in the wages, salaries and fringe benefits particularly in the Public Sector should be submitted to the Commission as provided for by law.