Proposed Politicians’ Pay Rise Sparks Outrage: NLC Slams RMAFC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed outrage over the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) decision to review upward the remuneration packages of political office holders across the country.

According to the NLC, the move is insensitive, unjust, and inequitable, and will only widen the gap between civil servants and political office holders.

In a statement on Sunday obtained by Persecondnews in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero said: “The current earnings of all political office holders should be made public, the benchmark for the proposed review should equally be made public, and RMAFC should put on hold this exercise before it triggers a tsunami.”

Ajaero noted that the current earnings of all political office holders should be made public, and the benchmark for the proposed review should also be disclosed.

He said: “While we recognise the need for good remuneration packages, they should be across board and equitable and not done on the basis of discrimination as that runs contrary to the letter and spirit of our constitution.

“One of the most heinous crimes against humanity is the institution and promotion of apartheid in any human setting, no matter how subtle.

“Accordingly, we demand as follows:
The current earnings of all political office holders should be made public;
The benchmark for the proposed review should equally be made public;
RMAFC should put on hold this exercise before it triggers a tsunami.”

The NLC President pointed out that while states operate different pay structures for civil servants, political office holders across the country earn the same salary.

“For instance, a councillor in Yobe State earns the same salary as a councillor in Rivers State.”

Ajaero noted that this exercise is coming at a time when most public subsectors are experiencing promotion and salary freezes, and the minimum wage of N70,000 is still in operation due to a lack of resources to pay higher wages.

He added: “This exercise is coming at a time of promotion and salary freeze in most public subsectors and the continued imposition/operation of N70,000 mimimum wage because there are no resources to pay higher in spite of insane tariff hikes.

“We recall the last time a wage review (not minimum wage) was done for civil servants, it was not more than 50 percent. However, when that of political office holders was done a year or so later, it was in excess of 800 per cent.”