Just-In: FG, Labour Resume Minimum Wage Talks Tuesday

The federal government and organised labour have resumed negotiations on Tuesday, amid the threat of nationwide industrial action if discussions on renegotiation of minimum wage, petrol prices, tax relief and other outstanding issues fail to produce concrete commitments.

Seated at the today’s meeting are the minister of labour and employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, the permanent secretary of the ministery, Kamil Shoretire and other government representatives while the organised labour is led by the NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero and other labour leaders.

The meeting which is currently taking place at the ministry of labour and employment in Abuja is between the minister of labour and employment, ministery of finance, accountant-general of the federation office , office of director-general of the budget office and that of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission who will represent the federal government side and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) negotiating unbehalf of the organised labour.

The meeting is expected to commence any moment from now and will determine labour’s next course of action as the extended deadline for resolving the dispute expires today.

The NLC is demanding a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, when the current N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law, the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures, and immediate payment of outstanding wage awards and related entitlements.

The labour centre had insisted that the government must present specific proposals addressing its demands rather than prolong negotiations without tangible outcomes.

Today’s talks follow an October 22 meeting in Abuja that ended without an agreement after labour accused the government delegation of arriving without the necessary mandate to negotiate substantively.

The organised labour said no concrete commitments were secured, leaving the outstanding issues unresolved.

The government subsequently requested an adjournment to October 27 to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to participate in the negotiations.

Recalled that the NLC issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government on October 8, effective October 9, demanding a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the N70,000 national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

The NLC also demanded immediate commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and resolution of outstanding agreements involving health-sector and other public-sector workers.

The congress argued that rising living costs, higher transportation expenses and the depreciation of the naira had eroded workers’ purchasing power despite the minimum wage increase.

The initial ultimatum expired on October 22 without a breakthrough, prompting labour to extend the deadline to October 27 after the inconclusive meeting with the government.

The federal government maintains that the current minimum wage is due for review in June 2027, based on the statutory three-year review cycle. Labour, however, wants preparations for fresh negotiations to begin immediately.

The NLC has directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible nationwide action if Tuesday’s meeting fails to produce meaningful progress.

The outcome of today’s meeting will determine whether negotiations continue or labour considers further action over the unresolved demands.