Labour ,FG Resume Negotiations Amid Strike Threat

Organized labour meets with the Federal Government team to discuss concessions and offers made to workers, potentially averting a nationwide strike.

Negotiations between organized labour and the Federal Government have resumed at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting, which is taking place in the Chief of Staff Conference Room, aims to provide the government team with updates on the resolutions reached by the various labour organizations regarding the concessions and offers made by the government.

The leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) agreed to consult with their respective organs to consider the government’s latest offer, with the possibility of suspending the proposed nationwide strike scheduled for October 3, 2023.

The latest development follows President Bola Tinubu’s initial approval of a provisional wage increment demand by labour, raising the minimum wage from N25,000 to N35,000 for an average low-grade worker. However, labor unions insisted that the wage increase should apply across the board and remain in effect until a new minimum wage, expected to be negotiated next year, is established.

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Key resolutions from the previous meeting included the belief that issues in dispute could only be resolved when workers are actively at work rather than on strike. The Federal Government team promised to present labor’s request for a higher wage award to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.

Additionally, a sub-committee is set to be formed to outline the details of implementing various measures to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. The matter concerning the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, which has been ongoing, is expected to be urgently addressed, with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu committing to its resolution.

The outcome of the meeting between organized labor and the Federal Government will play a crucial role in determining whether the planned nationwide strike will proceed or be suspended to allow further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions reached during negotiations. Present at the meeting were key labor leaders and government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Minister of Finance, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and the Minister of State for Labour.