Akpabio, Tajudeen Abbas meet labour leaders over strike notice, minimum wage

Members of organised labour are currently meeting with the leaders of the national assembly over the planned indefinite strike slated to start on June 3.

Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, led other union leaders to the meeting.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, are presiding over the meeting called to avert the impending strike and discuss the new minimum wage.

On Friday, NLC and TUC declared an indefinite strike over the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.

Recently, the federal and state governments, organised labour, and the private sector commenced discussion over the new minimum wage.

Initially, the labour unions had proposed N615,500 as the minimum wage, citing the high cost of living.

However, the federal government rejected the N615,500 proposal and offered N48,000.

On May 15, the NLC and TUC rejected the N48,000 minimum wage offered by the government.

On May 21, the federal government increased the proposed minimum wage to N54,000, which the labour again rejected and described as “unacceptable”.

Again, the federal government proposed N60,000, and it was rejected.

THE MEDIATION

Earlier on Sunday, the national assembly said it would mediate between the federal government and organised labour to avert the indefinite strike.

The federal lawmakers urged all stakeholders to seek a “mutually acceptable resolution” in the best interest of the country.

In a statement signed by Yemi Adaramodu and Akin Rotimi, spokespersons of senate and house of representatives, respectively, the national assembly said the federal government and organised labour have “tenable” positions on the issue of minimum wage.

“In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, respectively, Senator Diket Plang and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand,” the statement reads.

“The 10th National Assembly is committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented.

“We further urge all stakeholders to remain patient and co-operative as we work diligently to find a mutually acceptable resolution in the best interest of the country.”