In a last minute effort to abort the impending indefinite strike by organised labour, President Bola Tinubu, has approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
A press release personally issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, on Sunday, said that the approval was a product of “further consultations” between the Federal Government delegation and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) earlier in the day.
The Minister recalled that at the meeting between both parties, the Federal Government had committed itself to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease the difficulties with public transportation arising from the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023.
The Federal Government, the Minister further disclosed, also committed itself to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next six months.
Furthermore, the Federal Government announced that it will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:
Mallam Mohammed Idris then gave highlights of the meeting between the Federal Government and Labour leaders as follows:
- i) The Federal Government urged the Labour unions not to embark on strike action as the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work.
- ii) Labour Unions made case for higher wage award.
iii) A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
- iv) The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently.
v.) NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.
Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, Deputy President, TUC, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.