FG, NLC To Meet For One Week Over New Minimum Wage
..to suspend strike action today
After six hours of meeting on Monday, the Nigerian government signed an agreement with the Organised Labour after the government promised that President Bola Tinubu is committed to a national minimum wage above N60,000.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced this after the meeting with the labour leaders in Abuja which started 5pm and ended few minutes to 11pm.
He said the President is “committed to a national minimum wage that is higher than N60,000”.
The organised Labour comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress declared an indefinite nationwide strike over the inability of the federal government to pay Nigerian workers a living wage.
Meanwhile, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) will now resume daily meeting for one week to agree on the actual amount for the new minimum wage.
The resolutions reached at the meeting between the federal government and the organised labour held on Monday 3rd June, 2024, reads:
“Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands.
“2. The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.
“3. After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:
“i. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;
“II. Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;
“III. Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and
“IV. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.
“Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.”
Signed
For the Federal Government of Nigeria:
1. Mohammed Idris
03/08/24
Minister of Information and National Orientation
2. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Nerf 3/6/24
Minister of State for Labour and Employment
For the Organised Labour:
1. Joe Ajaero
President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
2. Festus Osifo
President, Trade Union Congress (TUC)