Ayuba Sanusi
THE Federal Government has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to paying to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than the N60,000 it offered organised labour at the last tripartite committee meeting.
The expressed commitment was one of the resolutions reached at a meeting between the Federal government and organised labour concluded a few minutes ago.
Aside from the commitment, other resolutions reached at the meeting include:
- Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet every day for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;
- Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and
iii. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.
The meeting held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) had in attendance Senator George Akume; Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
On Labour side are Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Festus Osifo
President, Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The organised labour today began indefinite strike action to protest government’s failure to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage and its reluctance to reverse the hike in electricity tariffs.
A joint statement issued by the Presidents of NLC and TUC had expressed disappointment over the absence of state governors and federal government representatives with the authority to commit to any outcome. The Labour leaders emphasized the urgent need for the government to address the demands of Nigerian workers, stressing that the welfare of the people should be the primary concern of governance.
Despite previous ultimatums and protests, the government’s response has been deemed inadequate by Organised Labour. In light of this, NLC and TUC have resolved to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike, effective from June 3rd, 2024, until their demands are met.
Eighteen-Eleven Media