BREAKING: Federal Government and Organised Labour Reach Resolutions to End Nationwide Strike
Abuja, June 3, 2024 — The Federal Government and organised labour unions have reached crucial resolutions to end the nationwide strike that began earlier today. The meeting, held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), saw significant discussions aimed at addressing the demands of the labour unions.
Following the declaration of the strike by the National Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which brought economic activities to a halt across the country, the Federal Government convened an urgent meeting with labour representatives to resolve the impasse.
Key Resolutions Reached:
- National Minimum Wage Commitment:
- The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, has committed to implementing a national minimum wage higher than N60,000.
- To expedite this commitment, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage will convene daily meetings for the next week to agree on the final minimum wage figure.
- Labour’s Response:
- In response to the President’s commitment, labour leaders have agreed to convene an immediate meeting of their organs to consider the government’s proposal.
- Non-Victimization Assurance:
- It was agreed that no worker will be victimized as a result of participating in the industrial action.
The meeting was attended by key figures including the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Festus Osifo, and other top officials from both the government and labour unions. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, chaired the session, with notable attendance from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who arrived with his statutorily approved military escorts.
The Federal Government’s swift engagement with the labour unions underscores its commitment to resolving the wage dispute amicably and ensuring the resumption of normalcy in economic activities across the country.
This agreement marks a significant step towards addressing the concerns of Nigerian workers and enhancing their welfare through a revised national minimum wage. The nation awaits the outcomes of the Tripartite Committee’s deliberations in the coming days.
Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.
