By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday hinted at a formulation of an innovative wage system that would be based on employees’ productivity in the civil service.
The Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Dr. Nasir Raji-Mustapha, dropped the hint in Abuja while enlightening Nigerians on the agency’s mandate.
He explained that with the system, workers on the same level could earn different salaries, adding that the decision was being taken because it realized that productivity is a key factor in the growth of the country’s economy.
“We are in the process of developing a productivity-led wage system that will ensure that those who are productive are rewarded for their efforts irrespective of their grade level. Under the proposed system, employees on the same salary scale can earn different wages,” he said.
Fielding questions on whether the proposal has the support and input of the organised labour, he said such a policy couldn’t be carried out without the input of the organised.
Dr. Raji-Mustapha said: “Of course, labour as a critical stakeholder is being carried along in this exercise. As researchers, we don’t just do things without considering the recipient of the reports.
“When we started the project about three or four years ago, we held a stakeholders’ forum in which the labour unions participated. We even went further to send a memo to NLC and TUC to ask them whether they will support the proposed Wage System and they said they will welcome it.”
He said the report for the first phase of the study was ready, adding that the next stage would be to engage various stakeholders to consider and make input before the final presentation to the Federal Government for its consideration and possible adoption.
The NPC boss also disclosed that the centre was collaborating with a number of international agencies and organisations to ensure that the productivity and skills of Nigerian workers are greatly improved to impact positively on the economy.
He stated specifically that the NPC has widened its scope of collaboration between it and international agencies such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JACA), Africa Productivity Association, and Asia Productivity Association.
According to him, the centre has done a lot in the area of productivity promotion and advocacy for youths, especially the Youths Corp members at the NYSC camps, adding that the NPC has resuscitated preaching and promoting of productivity at the NYSC camps.
He also disclosed that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima would be the keynote speaker at the two-day National Productivity Summit organised by the centre and holding today in Abuja.
He said: “The summit is very important because, in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, you will agree with me that there is a need for increased productivity. We must harness the power of science, technology, and innovation and use them to optimize the resources in the country and the VP is the keynote speaker.”
