Bisola David
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has been threatened with a shutdown by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees for failing to implement the approved minimum wage in two weeks.
According to the Punch, it was stated in a letter addressed to the Director-General of NiMET in Abuja on Thursday, January 26, 2023. The letter was jointly signed by the Secretary-Generals of NUATE, Ocheme Aba; AUPCTRE, Siriku Waheed; and ANAP, Abdul Saidu.
However, after being implemented in five other aviation agencies since February 2022, the unions referred to NiMET’s refusal to execute the minimum wage consequential adjustment as “wickedness.”
The unions stated that only NiMet personnel had been refused its implementation, adding that the issue of the non-application of the agreed minimum wage consequential adjustment for NiMET had reached its climax.
The unions said that the benefit had not been provided to them since the minimum wage Act went into effect in April 2019, claiming that management had long been unconcerned with the wellbeing of its employees.
Accordingly, it would be unreasonable to expect the unfortunate NiMET personnel to continue to bear the brunt of this cruelty. At this point, no justification is possible; nothing can excuse this kind of abuse.
Given the aforementioned, we desire to advise NiMET’s management that if the minimum wage consequential adjustment for NiMET is not applied after 14 days, our unions, as previously mentioned, will not be able to guarantee sustained industry harmony at NiMET.
The letter also included copies for the Aviation, Labor, and Employment Ministers, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, and the chairmen and secretary of their respective unions at NiMET.
