The Federal Government and organised labour don resume talks over petrol price, minimum wage and other workers’ welfare matters as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) prepare to decide their next move.
The meeting wey hold on Tuesday, October 27, go determine whether labour go accept the government’s response or take further action, including possible nationwide strike.
Labour dey demand make government reduce petrol price to the level wey e dey when President Bola Tinubu sign the N70,000 minimum wage into law for 2024. The unions also want tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and early talks for a new minimum wage.
NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, say labour expect government to come with clear answers to the demands wey dem don submit before now.
According to am, the unions no want government to use the meeting to ask them to repeat their demands.The talks follow an earlier meeting on October 22 wey end without agreement. Labour accuse the government delegation of coming without enough authority to negotiate and make concrete promises.
The government later ask for more time to arrange the next meeting and bring relevant ministers and heads of government agencies to the discussion.
NLC and TUC don warn say the outcome of the meeting go determine their next move. The unions earlier extend their ultimatum to October 27 after the first deadline expire without any agreement.
One major disagreement between both sides na when negotiations for a new minimum wage suppose start.
The Federal Government say the current N70,000 minimum wage no due for review until June 1, 2027, based on the three-year review period under the National Minimum Wage Act.
But NLC want preparations for a new minimum wage to start immediately. The union argue say early negotiations go give government, labour and employers enough time to reach agreement before the new wage take effect.
President Bola Tinubu sign the law wey increase minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 on July 29, 2024, after months of negotiations.
However, labour say the increase no longer dey enough because the cost of food, transportation, house rent, healthcare and other basic needs don rise sharply.
Apart from petrol price and minimum wage, the unions dey demand the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with government in 2023, outstanding wage awards and agreements affecting health workers and other public servants.
The Federal Ministry of Labour say e dey engage relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address the issues wey concern government.
Pensioners Demand N75,000 Fuel Subsidy Support
The Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria don appeal to the Federal Government to pay eligible pensioners three months of outstanding fuel subsidy support, amounting to N75,000.
The association make the demand for a communiqué after its National Executive Council meeting for Abuja on October 22, 2026.
The money represent three months of the N25,000 monthly support wey government introduce for eligible beneficiaries following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The association also ask the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to explain how the pension increase wey take effect for January 2026 dey work and make the relevant government circular available to pensioners.
E further urge PTAD to ensure say the planned relaunch of the ‘I Am Alive’ verification platform no disrupt pension payments, especially for elderly people, sick retirees and those wey no fit move around easily.
For healthcare, the association want PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority to make registration for the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme easier.
E call for assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for pensioners wey age, sickness or disability make am difficult for them to complete the process by themselves.
The association warn say no eligible pensioner suppose lose access to healthcare benefits because of registration or verification problems.
E also praise President Tinubu for the regular payment of monthly pensions to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme and urge the government to maintain the practice.
The association say prompt pension payments, easier access to healthcare and proper communication about retirees’ benefits remain important, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
