Minimum Wage: FG, Labour Leaders Sign Pact To Advance Negotiation
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Federal Government and the leadership of the Labour Unions, comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have signed an agreement to further the negotiation on Minimum Wage for the Nigerian workers.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha signed the agreement on behalf of the federal government, while President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo signed on behalf of the Organised Labour.
The agreement which was signed on Monday, shortly after an emergency meeting in Abuja, was in the National Interest, following the indefinite nationwide strike declared on Monday by the Organised Labour to drive home its demands.
After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:
That “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 everyday 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; and
“No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action”.