Minimum Wage: NLC and TUC to Suspend Strike After Halting Economy

24 hours after workers crippled Nigeria’s economy, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have reached a deal with the Federal Government to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume disclosed this on Tuesday night while unveiling the resolutions of the emergency meeting with organized labour.

The four-point resolution was signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of State Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, NLC President, Joe Ajaero and TUC President, Festus Osifo.

According to the resolutions, the federal government said it is committed to paying a minimum wage that is higher than N60,000.

The resolution stated that the tripartite Committee is to meet every day for the next week to arrive at an agreeable National Minimum Wage

Importantly, they added that organized labour will meet immediately to consider the federal government’s commitment.

Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in iv above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action,” part of the resolution read.

A senior executive of organized labour who preferred anonymity told reporters that workers would suspend the indefinite strike and return to negotiation with the government.

“For certain, organized labour will suspend its indefinite strike on Tuesday to continue negotiations with the tripartite committee.

“This is in line with the commitment extracted from the government after the meeting with the SGF”, he said.

Meanwhile, an earlier meeting between the organized labour and leadership of the National Assembly ended in a deadlock.

Consequently, workers commenced an indefinite strike on Monday, 3 June over the failure of the government to implement minimum wage and reversal of the electricity tariff hike.