The Federal Government and Organized Labour are set to resume discussions today (Thursday) on the minimum wage following an adjournment on Wednesday.
This meeting is part of ongoing negotiations by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, which was postponed to await the Finance Minister Wale Edun’s submission of the salary template to President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had directed the finance minister to provide the cost implications for a new minimum wage within 48 hours.
This directive came during a meeting with the government negotiation team, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Labour union sources involved in the committee meeting indicated that the discussions were postponed to allow the minister to finalize and present the template.
A union representative expressed confidence that significant progress would be made once the presidential template is reviewed by all parties.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, noted that the President was keen to understand the financial implications of the new minimum wage.
He emphasized the government’s intention to ensure that any promises made are feasible and sustainable.
The President has instructed government representatives to collaborate with the organized private sector and sub-nationals to develop a new, affordable wage award for Nigerians.
The information minister reassured that all efforts would be made to present a new minimum wage within one week, emphasizing the need for a wage that is realistic and sustainable for the country.
Related News: Organised Labour suspends strike for five days
This follows a nationwide strike by labour unions on Monday and Tuesday, which disrupted economic activities across the country, including the operations of banks, airports, public schools, and courts.
The unions called off the strike for five days after President Tinubu agreed to a new minimum wage higher than N60,000.
The President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, hinted at the unions’ willingness to negotiate a reasonable compromise, although he did not specify a particular amount.
He emphasized that the new minimum wage should match the purchasing power of N30,000 in 2019 and N18,000 in 2014.
Airlines have reported significant revenue losses due to the strike.
The Chief Operating Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Osita Okonkwo, and the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, highlighted the financial impact of cancelled flights and the challenges of accommodating passengers affected by the disruption.
Industry experts like Olumide Ohunayo and John Ojikutu noted the broader economic impact on the aviation sector and emphasized the need for essential services to be exempted from such strikes in the future.
Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, and Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, urged the government and labour unions to expedite their negotiations.
Adeniran stressed the need for realistic and timely conclusions to the talks, while Rafsanjani called for honesty and realism from the government in restoring dignity to labour.
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