By Charles Igwe
In a significant development, the Federal Government of Nigeria and organized labour have reached critical resolutions concerning the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The agreements were reached after intense negotiations facilitated by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage and intervention by the National Assembly leadership.
The organized labour declared a nationwide strike on June 3, 2024, to advocate for higher wages. Responding to this, the Federal Government convened a meeting with labour representatives on the same day, aiming to resolve the impasse.
Following exhaustive deliberations, the following key resolutions were agreed upon:
- Commitment to Higher Minimum Wage: The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has committed to a national minimum wage exceeding N60,000.
- Continued Deliberations: The Tripartite Committee will meet daily for the next week to negotiate and finalize an agreeable National Minimum Wage.
- Labour’s Response: Organized labour, acknowledging the President’s commitment, has agreed to convene meetings of its organs to consider this development.
- Worker Protection: It was affirmed that no worker will face victimization due to their involvement in the industrial action.
The resolutions were signed in Abuja on June 3, 2024, by representatives from both the Federal Government and organized labour. Signatories included Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, representing the Federal Government. Representing organized labour were Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
