Talks between government and representatives of the Civil Servants Association (CSA) on salary increments for civil servants have failed to reach a consensus. According to an official source, the talks which began two weeks ago were deadlocked because of what was described as the ''polarized'' position taken by the two groups.
CSA has been bargaining for an upward adjustment of salaries following the recent increase in the national minimum wage.
The Association’s President, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu had earlier told the Business and Financial Times that CSA is not taking anything below the 60% increase, in view of the rising cost of utility rates and transport fares. But government says it would settle on a 10% increase.
He emphasized that any entrenched position adopted by the government in a bid to unduly delay the process would have a negative impact, as the leadership cannot guarantee a continued display of patience by their members who are faced with rising cost of living.
Nonetheless, the official intimated that talks would still go on this week, adding ''we would surely make a headway. Though we could not meet the deadline as we earlier expected, we are still hopeful that an acceptable deal would be clinched by the end of the talks''.
