A crucial meeting between Bola Tinubu and organised labour regarding the new minimum wage concluded in a one-hour session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, with an agreement to reconvene next week.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Comrade Festus Osifo, led their delegations to the State House at 2 pm for discussions directly with Tinubu.
Previously, the Tripartite Committee had proposed conflicting figures: N62,000 from the government and private sector, and N250,000 from organised labour. Tinubu refrained from forwarding any figure to the National Assembly, opting instead to consult stakeholders for consensus.
Reflecting on the meeting, Comrade Ajaero clarified, “In real sense, it wasn’t a negotiation but a discussion and we have had that discussion.”
He emphasized that the talks centered on economic realities rather than specific figures.
Comrade Osifo echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the economic challenges faced by Nigerians and the impact on living standards.
He stressed the importance of engaging directly with the President to convey labour’s concerns comprehensively.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed confidence in a positive outcome following the adjournment.
“The organized labour and the government will reach an agreement,” he affirmed, anticipating progress in the forthcoming week.
A source familiar with the discussions revealed that Tinubu proposed a review of the minimum wage every two years instead of five.
However, the suggestion to accept the N62,000 offer faced resistance from organised labour, citing concerns over potential wage reductions.
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