FG, Labour Set Date To Conclude Negotiation On Minimum Wage

The Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari and Labour Unions in the country, have scheduled a high-level meeting for October 15, for the full implementation of the new minimum wage.

YaahooJournalist reports that Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, made this known on Wednesday after a separate meeting with members of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council; the leadership of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

A statement issued on Wednesday by Charles Akpan, the ministry’s Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, quoted the Labour minister to have said that the meeting was called to resolve the impasse over the consequential adjustment of the National Minimum Wage.

According to Akpan, the October 15 meeting will pave the way for an equable implementation of the Consequential Adjustment of the minimum wage.

The statement reads as thus: “While the meeting with the Labour commenced by 11:30 and ended 2 pm that with the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council is still on-going.

“It was resolved however that each group would hold further meetings to sort out all outstanding disagreements before a high-level conclusive meeting to schedule for Tuesday, 15th October 2019.

“This will pave the way for an equable implementation of the Consequential Adjustment of the Minimum Wage,” the statement added.

Present at the meeting were: Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi- Esan, Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, Minister of State, Finance, Budget and Planning, Clement Agba and  Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN).

Others are Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, Acting Chairman, National Salaries Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

Also in attendance were Comrade Achaver Simon, the Deputy President NLC, Comrade Amaechi Asogwuni, the General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, and the representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).