The Federal Government and representatives of organised labour have agreed on a new minimum wage that is above N60,000.
The agreement was reached at the end of a meeting held on Monday between leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and representatives of the federal government.
The secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, who read the resolutions reached at the end of the meeting, said, “President Bola Tinubu is committed to a national minimum wage that is higher than N60,000”.
“Let me reassure Nigerians that we have had a very realistic and patriotic meeting, and the results will be manifesting,” Akume said.
The SGF said the tripartite committee would be meeting everyday for the next one week to arrive at an agreeable national minimum wage.
He added that the “labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment” to a minimum wage that is above N60,000, “undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment”.
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)
Meanwhile, Businesses, airports, universities, hospitals and power supply were affected as Labour began an indefinite strike on Monday over Labour’s demand for a new minimum wage.
