FG okays N35,000 salary increase for workers as labour rejects N25,000

The Federal Government on Sunday night announced a N35,000 increase in salary for all categories of its workers to avert the planned nationwide industrial action.

This came after the organised labour had rejected the N25,000 earlier offered by President Bola Tinubu for low-level workers during his Independence Day broadcast.

The new offer is contained in a report of a meeting held by the labour unions and the FG on Sunday.

The parties noted the following:

“i) The Federal Government has announced N35,000 only as provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months following further consultation with President Bola Tinubu.

“ii) The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.

“iii) The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.

“In light of the discussions held during the meeting, the following were the major highlights:

“The Federal Government urged the Labour unions not to embark on strike action as the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work.

“Labour Unions made case for higher wage award. A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.”

BREAKING: FG extends N25,000 salary increase to all workers

All cadres of workers in the Federal Civil Service will benefit from the N25,000 wage increase for six months, the Presidency has said.

President Bola Tinubu announced earlier in his Independence Day broadcast the increment for low-grade federal workers as intervention to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

But at a meeting between the Federal Government and labour unions in Aso Rock on Sunday evening, an agreement was reached that all workers should benefit from the increment.

Full details of FG, Labour meeting on Sunday

The outcome of the meeting between Federal Government and labour leaders on Sunday may avert nationwide strike, it was learnt.

Part of the outcome shows that the government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month,  from October to December 2023.

It was also agreed that VAT on diesel would be waived for the next six months, Newstrends learnt.

The details are contained in a press statement by Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.

The details of the deliberation between the government and Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress were made available on Sunday night.

The full statement is as follows:

The Federal Government, on Sunday, October 1, 2023 met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Unions Congress (TUC) on measures to address the dispute arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The parties noted the following:

i) The Federal Government has announced N25,000 only as provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months.

ii) The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.

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iii) The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.

iv) VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months.

v) The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period  from October-December 2023.

RESOLUTIONS:

In the light of the discussions held during the meeting, the following resolutions were reached:

i) The issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.

ii) Labour unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.

iii) A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

iv) The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)  and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.

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v.) NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.

Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar  Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, Deputy President, TUC,  NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.

Full details of FG, Labour meeting on Sunday