FG,NLC Agree on New National Minimum wage – Tinubu.
By Mtindiga Daniel.
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria HE, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that, a new national minimum wage has been agreed upon by the Federal Government and the Organized Labour, adding that, the Bill will soon be sent to the National Assembly for Legislative Action.
He made the disclosure while addressing Nigerians in a National Broadcast to Commemorate the June 12 ,2024 Democracy Day Celebration in Abuja.
In the words of the President, “As we continue to reform the Economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.
“In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organized Labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less.
“In the face of labour’s call for a National strike, we did not seek to oppress or crack down on the workers as a dictatorial government of the past would have done. We chose the path of cooperation over conflict.No one was arrested or threatened instead, the labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate towards a good faith resolution.
“Reasoned discussion and principled compromise are hallmarks of democracy. These themselves shall continue to animate my policies and interactions with the constituent parts of our political economy”.
Recall that, members of the organized Labour on June 3,2024, embarked on an indefinite Nationwide industrial action as a result of the federal government’s refusal to step up the proposed minimum above sixty thousand naira.
Similarly, they issued out ultimatum to the federal government, demanding conclusions on the minimum wage negotiations.
While the government and the Organized private sector have settled on sixty two thousand naira minimum wage,Labour is demanding two hundred and fifty thousand naira.
Chris Onyeka who is the Assistant General Secretary of labour disclosed that, the Union will not accept the sixty two thousand naira offer and the one hundred thousand naira proposed by some individuals and economists.
However, President Tinubu reiterated total commitment to keep working round the clock to ensure that, things are better in the interest of all.
“I take this crucial task with fear or favor and I commit myself to this work until we have built a Nigeria where no one oppressed. Let us board this progressive train together. Together, let us move Nigeria forward. Let us continue to keep the fire of democracy burning. Let us keep the torch light for generations to come”,he concluded.
