The Federal Government has said it is ready to pay higher than N60,000 as minimum wage, urging organized labour to take the offer and the crippling nationwide strike which has shut down all sectors of the economy.
Organised Labour had down tools on Monday, shutting down the nation after the Federal Government refusal to a new minimum wage above N60,000.
But neither the labour leaders nor the federal government representatives were willing to divulge the actual amount agreed.
The resolution was disclosed by the government late Monday after a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
It is expected that the organs of both NLC and TUC will meet later today to approve the agreement and call off the strike.
It was agreed at the end of the meeting that President Bola Tinubu is committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than N60,000 and that the Tripartite Committee would convene daily for the next week to finalise an agreeable National Minimum Wage.
It was also agreed that in recognition of the President’s commitment, Organised Labour would immediately hold meetings of its organs to consider this new offer.
The meeting also agreed that no worker would face victimisation as a consequence of participating in the industrial action.
For the Federal Government of Nigeria, those who signed the statement were Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
For the Organised Labour, those who signed were Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and Festus Osifo, President, Trade Union Congress TUC.
The full statement reads: “Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands.
“The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.
“After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;
“Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;
“Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) 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.
“Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.”