By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
AN EXTRAORDINARY National Executive Council meeting of the Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress, collectively known as Organized Labour, are set to hold to decide on the fate of the ongoing strike action, according to the leadership of the two labour bodies who disclosed this development on Tuesday.
The meeting outcome will determine whether the strike continues or is suspended following recent talks between labour representatives and the Federal Government.
After a lengthy negotiation in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu’s administration had earlier Tuesday expressed a commitment to raising the proposed minimum wage beyond N60,000.
President Tinubu is reportedly adamant about establishing a national minimum wage higher than N60,000, with a tripartite committee scheduled to meet daily in the coming week to finalize the wage increase.
Organized Labour has also agreed to convene its internal meetings promptly to consider this new offer, ensuring no worker faces repercussions for participating in the strike.
The agreement was earlier signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Despite this progress, the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress remains ongoing.
In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), NLC confirmed the strike continuation until further consultations with its members. The post read, “Until we hear from our organs at our meeting scheduled for today, June 4, we are still on strike.”
Following a meeting on Monday led by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), President Tinubu’s commitment to a new national minimum wage surpassing N60,000 was reiterated.
Akume assured that no worker would face repercussions for participating in the strike.
Resolutions from the Monday meeting emphasized:
– President’s Commitment: A national minimum wage exceeding N60,000 is assured.
– Daily Committee Meetings: Tripartite committee to meet daily for a week to finalize new wage.
– Union Consultations: Labour unions to promptly consult their members on the new wage offer.
– Non-Retaliation Guarantee: Workers participating in the strike will not be penalized.
The Monday strike had commenced in response to stalled negotiations for a new minimum wage, with unions advocating for a wage that reflects current economic conditions and provides a decent standard of living for workers nationwide.
