BY EDMOND ODOK – Leaders of the organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) are currently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja in continuation of talks to address contentious issues around the new national minimum wage.
Reports indicated that a white State House-registered Coaster bus conveying the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, and other leaders arrived at the forecourt of the Aso Villa at 02:14 pm.
Sources said based on the President’s iternary for the day, the 30-minute meeting was scheduled for 02:00 pm but was delayed as the visitors were made to undergo COVID-19 tests and security checks.
Today’s meeting is holding exactly one week after both sides resolved to continue consultation over the proposals for the new national minimum wage.
Insider sources said the meeting is expected to put finishing touches to all gray areas concerning the new minimum wage.
After the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House correspondents that the President would soon meet with the Labour Leaders to reach a consensus.
At their last meeting, President Bola Tinubu had assured all stakeholders of the government’s readiness to agree on a new wage but explained that parties must find a common figure that appeals to the Federal and sub-national Governments for ease of payment.
He also admitted that Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions, adding that being concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers, the administration is seriously working on arriving at a package that would be acceptable to all
In submitting the new national minimum wage figures to the President, the organised private sector and the government team had offered to pay N62,000, while the organised labour insisted on N250,000.
Following the disagreement within the Tripartite Committee, President Tinubu had to delay sending any figure to the National Assembly through an Executive Bill.
Also, after the Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, President had tasked the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, to draft a bill to amend the 2024 budget to accommodate a new minimum wage.
More to come later…
