In a significant development aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute over the national minimum wage, the Federal Government has offered to pay more than the initially proposed N60,000.
The decision was reached during a crucial meeting between government officials and labour leaders held on Monday night in Abuja. The meeting, convened in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, sought to address the impasse and bring an end to the nationwide strike declared by the organised labour.
After extensive deliberations, it was agreed that the President of Nigeria is committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than N60,000. Additionally, the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week to finalize an agreeable National Minimum Wage.
Among other resolutions reached during the meeting, it was affirmed that the organised labour would immediately convene meetings of its organs to consider this new offer. Furthermore, no worker would face victimization as a consequence of participating in the industrial action.
Representing the Federal Government, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, signed the resolutions. On the side of the organised labour, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, were present.
The Nigeria Labour Congress had declared a nationwide indefinite strike starting at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024, following the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage above N60,000. The announcement came after failed negotiations between the government and organised labour, led by Ajaero.