Labour unions secure N35,000 wage increase for gov’t workers, other promises
The meeting between the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) with the Federal Government has generated a N35,000 increase as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the increase followed consultations between the federal government and the leadership of the labour unions at the Presidential Villa to avert the indefinite strike billed for Tuesday, 3rd October 2023.
At the meeting, the federal government also pledged its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation caused by subsidy removal on fuel.
Similarly, the federal government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises and waivers on VAT on diesel for the next six months.
It also announced the payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 monthly for three months from October to December.
Other resolutions agreed upon during the discussions states that the issues at hand can only be resolved through constructive dialogue and cooperation, emphasising the importance of workers being at work rather than on strike.
Similarly, the labour unions agreed that a sub-committee will be established to outline the details of the implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
Also the lingering issue pertaining to the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State will be urgently addressed, with virtual participation from Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has committed to resolving the matter.
Furthermore, the NLC and TUC will carefully evaluate the offers put forth by the Federal Government, with the intention of suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the aforementioned resolutions.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, with virtual participation from Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Other notable attendees included Minister of Finance and Coordinating, Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, and National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Deputy President of TUC, Dr. Tommy Etim Okon, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, and other esteemed representatives.