President Bola Tinubu has approved a series of measures, including an N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months, following a meeting between the federal government and the leaders of organized labor.
The four-hour meeting was aimed at averting the proposed nationwide strike by organized labor, which was billed to take effect from October 3. The federal government delegation at the meeting, which was held at the State House, Abuja, was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
The labor delegation led by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, Dr. Tommy Etim Okon, Deputy President, of Trade Union Congress (TUC), NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others, had clamored for a wage increase as a way to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
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A statement released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, noted that Tinubu also approved the payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.
It says: “The Federal Government, on Sunday, October 1, 2023, met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on measures to address the dispute arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“The parties noted the following:
“i) The Federal Government has announced N35,000 only as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months following further consultation with President Bola Tinubu.
“ii) The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“iii) The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
“In light of the discussions held during the meeting, the following were the major highlights:
“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.
“Labour Unions made case for higher wage award. A sub-committee is to be constituted to work out the details of the implementation of all items regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
“VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months.
“The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.”
“The issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
“Labour Unions argued for higher wage awards and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
“A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“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 and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.”
The leadership of the major wings of organized labor, the NLC, and the TUC, said they 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.