NiMet commits to settle unpaid arrears amid strike threats
Amid reports of Nigerian Meteorological Agency staff preparing to go on strike on Monday over unpaid arrears, the agency’s management has emphasised its dedication to finding a resolution.
This was made known in a statement signed by the NiMet’s Director of Human Resources, Nasiru Sani, on Wednesday.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that Nigeria Meteorology Agency staff will begin strike action on Monday, May 20, 2024, owing to the management’s failure to address 45 months of minimum wage arrears. Payments ceased after three months, leaving a remaining balance of 42 months.
The union also highlighted that the 25–35 per cent salary increase has not been implemented for them, alongside NiMET’s exclusion from receiving Peculiar Allowance.
In response, Sani said, “The issue of the unpaid 42-month consequential salary adjustment by the Federal Government predates the present NiMet management.
“However, as a responsible management that cares about the welfare of its staff, we are engaging with the unions and we regularly update them of our various engagements with government agencies to help pay off the arrears.”
Highlighting the ongoing efforts, Sani expressed optimism for a positive outcome, citing recent interactions with government bodies.
“During NiMet management’s last visit with the unions’ representatives to the Budget Office, we were informed that payments of arrears were not peculiar to NiMet alone and that NiMet has been placed in the sixth batch of scheduled payments. Currently, they are paying the fifth batch,” he added.
