The Federal Government has agreed to pay more than the N60,000 it initially proposed as new minimum wage.
The decision was taken at a meeting the government had with labour leaders on Monday night in Abuja to address the dispute over the national minimum wage in response to the nationwide strike declared by the organised labour..
The meeting, held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday evening aimed to resolve the impasse and bring an end to the industrial action that had paralysed various sectors across the country.
At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that, “The President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than N60,000; and the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week to finalise an agreeable National Minimum Wage.”
Other resolutions were; “In recognition of the President’s commitment, the organised labour would immediately hold meetings of its organs to consider this new offer; and no worker would face victimisation as a consequence of participating in the industrial action.”
Representing the organised labour were the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and the President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo.
The NLC on Friday declared a nationwide indefinite strike starting at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024, due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage above N60,000.
Ajaero announced the strike following failed negotiations between the government and organised labour.
RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE MEETING BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ORGANISED LABOUR HELD ON MONDAY 3RD JUNE, 2024
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.
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.
After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:
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:
- Mohammed Idris
03/08/24
Minister of Information and National Orientation
- Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Nerf 3/6/24
Minister of State for Labour and Employment
For the Organised Labour:
- Joe Ajaero
President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) - Festus Osifo
President, Trade Union Congress (TUC)
