JUST IN: FG, Labour resume talks at Villa to avert nationwide strike

The Federal Government and organized labour are currently engaged in a meeting, just hours before the scheduled nationwide strike by the unions.

This meeting serves as a follow-up to the discussions held on Sunday, October 1, and is expected to determine Organised Labour’s final decision regarding the government’s offers presented during the previous day’s session.

It was disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had initially approved a provisional wage increment of N25,000 for the average low-grade worker to last for six months, which was later increased to N35,000 after negotiations with labor.

However, the labor representatives insisted that the wage increment should be applied universally across the board and continue until a new minimum wage, expected to be negotiated next year, is established.

In a statement released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, it was emphasized that the resolution of the ongoing disputes can only be achieved when workers are actively engaged in their jobs and not when they are on strike.

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The discussions aim to find a mutually agreeable solution to prevent the nationwide strike and ensure the smooth functioning of essential services.

“Labour Unions argued for higher wage awards and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.

“A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

“The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.

“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.”

On the federal government’s side are the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Muhammed Idris; the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkiruka Onyejeocha; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.

On the side of the organised Labour are the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; the President of the TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo; the Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Emma Ugbaja; the TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, among others.