In a significant development, the National Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their nationwide strike for five days following a productive meeting with the federal government on Monday. This decision was confirmed by Channels TV on Tuesday.
The suspension comes after labour leaders met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and other government officials. The discussions concluded with a commitment from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement a new minimum wage that exceeds N60,000.
The meeting also resulted in the establishment of a Tripartite Committee, which will convene daily for the next week to finalize an agreeable National Minimum Wage. This move signals a strong effort to resolve the labour dispute and address the demands of the workforce.
As a result of this agreement, all government and private offices are expected to reopen and resume normal operations. The organized labour has also agreed to hold immediate meetings with its members to consider the new offer. Additionally, it was assured that no worker would face repercussions for participating in the industrial action.
This suspension marks a temporary respite in the nationwide strike, providing an opportunity for both parties to reach a lasting resolution on the minimum wage issue. The labour unions’ decision to pause the strike highlights a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with the government to address the pressing concerns of Nigerian workers.
