Victoria Mgbanwa
Following the consultations with the Federal Government delegation, that met earlier on Sunday, with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
Mallam Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation in a statement on Sunday night said that the federal government was also committed to making provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next 6 months.
The Federal Government has also promised its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“Furthermore, the Federal Government announced that it will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for athree months rom October-December 2023”.
“In light of the discussions held during the meeting between the Federal Government and Labour representatives, the following were the major highlights:
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 urgent.
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, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, 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), 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, where all in attendance.
