The Federal Government has announced its willingness to offer a minimum wage exceeding N60,000, urging organized labor to accept the proposal. However, the specific amount was not disclosed.
This announcement came late Monday after a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The statement was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment. The Organised Labour representatives who signed the statement were Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of the TUC.
The statement 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 a nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to press 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.
“Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet every day for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage.
“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.
“No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.
“Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.”
