The Federal Government is optimistic about persuading organized labor unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to halt their proposed indefinite strike. This optimism stems from the government’s proposal to increase the salaries of all “treasury-paid” federal workers by N35,000.
The proposal was a major highlight of a lengthy meeting held between the Federal Government and labour unions in Abuja on Sunday. President Bola Tinubu had previously announced a N25,000 pay raise in his Independence Day speech, specifying that it would apply exclusively to “low-grade” workers as a measure to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
The FG later announced N35,000 as a wage top-up for all treasury-paid federal workers for six months.
A statement released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed that the NLC and TUC would deliberate on the government’s offers and consider suspending the planned strike to facilitate further discussions regarding the implementation of these resolutions.
The virtual meeting was presided over by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State in attendance.
The labor delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy President of TUC, Dr. Tommy Etim Okon; NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja; and TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among other union representatives.
The meeting also featured the participation of various government officials, including the Information Minister, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Additionally, attendees included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the 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), Nuhu Ribadu.
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