By Abiola Olawale
The Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) has reconvened in Abuja, to pursue discussions regarding a new wage for Nigerian workers.
The New Diplomat gathered that the committee, comprising representatives from the Federal Government, Organised Labour, and Organised Private Sector (OPS) are holding talks at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja.
Representing the federal government are Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance; Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and National Planning; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Labour; and representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), along with the Head of Service of the Federation.
Also present are Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), who were there on behalf of organised labour.
Abdulateef Shittu, the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), was present at the meeting even though none of the state governors was there at the time.
The New Diplomat reports that the nationwide strike of organised labour was relaxed after the SGF, Sen. George Akume, announced that President Bola Tinubu was committed to a national minimum wage above ₦60,000.
Additionally, the President had directed the Finance Minister to present a template for the new minimum wage by Wednesday, June 5.
Labour has emphasised that it is not willing “to accept marginal increases of a few thousand naira” on the previously agreed N60,000 benchmark with the federal government.
