The Nigerian Labour Congress—NLC and Trade Union Congress—TUC, have reiterated readiness to embark on the planned nationwide strike.
This is as the labour leaders rejected President Bola Tinubu’s N25,000 provisional wage increment for the low-grade workers.
Recall that president Tinubu, during his Independence Day speech on Sunday, announced a six-month wage increase of N25,000 for low-grade workers as part of plans to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
He said, “Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation.
“For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.
“Commencing this month, the social safety net is being extended through the expansion of cash transfer programs to an additional 15 million vulnerable households.”
The federal government had convened an emergency meeting with labour leaders as part of efforts to prevent an indefinite strike from October 3.
However, the meeting ended with no positive resolutions reached as the organized labour vehemently opposed the provisional minimum wage increase.
During the meeting held at the Permanent Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, labour demanded for a 100 percent upward review of the current minimum wage.
Labour leaders also insisted for the provisional wage to be for all workers and for same to run till when new minimum wage would be approved next year.
They also noted that the Conditional Cash Transfer for the poorest and vulnerable people should be increased to N25, 000 and not the N5000 the previous administration was paying.