Abuja —
Tinubu gave the order when he summoned the Federal Government's representatives in the tripartite committee on new minimum wage to a meeting in his office yesterday. "On government's side, the President has just summoned a meeting of all those negotiating on behalf of the Federal Government, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and the Minister of Finance was there, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. Myself, the Minister of State for Labour, the GMD of the NNPC were all there to look at those issues.
"A wage award is not just that of the federal government, like I mentioned earlier. The subnationals are involved, the OPS is involved, and organised labour is involved. It was a labour that stepped out during those proceedings. The communiqué informed that the NEC critically examined the following key issues: The Federal Government's proposal to commit to a higher national minimum wage; the ongoing demands for the reversal of the electricity tariff hike back to N66/kwh; and the demand for stoppage of the apartheid classification of electricity consumers into bands.
"The NEC reaffirms that these issues are critical to alleviating the financial burden on Nigerian workers and the general populace. The electricity tariff hike and discriminatory band classification remain unacceptable and must be addressed alongside the wage increase. "The indefinite nationwide strike is, therefore, relaxed for one week from today to allow the Federal Government commit to a concrete and acceptable national minimum wage; take definitive steps to reverse the electricity tariff hike back to N66/kwh and abolish the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into Bands.
"The NLC and TUC remain committed to pursuing all necessary actions to protect the rights and welfare of all Nigerian people and workers as we urge all to await further directives while the negotiation continues."Similarly, the tripartite committee of a new minimum wage, yesterday at its resumed negotiation, adopted the agenda for the one week continuous negotiation.
Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings thrice after rejecting government and the Organised Private Sector's, OPS, offers. The Senate particularly frowned on the shut down of the national grid by some unionists, saying the action was more of economic sabotage than agitation for new minimum wage as well as disruptingf Hajj flights.
"On our part, we will continue to do our best by making contributions and at the same time awaiting the incoming bill on minimum wage for us to enact for the benefit of all Nigerians."On its part, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, also called on the federal government to expedite action to end the industrial action by Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, as Nigerians struggle and suffer the pain.
"The shutdown of electricity also exacerbated the situation and a continued disruption will not only affect the economy but also strain the social fabric of the nation. Businesses will be also affected, and parents may struggle to find alternative childcare arrangements due to the closure of public schools.
"We should also learn from this, not to wait for the 11th hour before we begin to take threats of strike seriously and then running to the negotiation table.
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