Labour Convenes Emergency Meeting Over FEC’s Minimum Wage Decision

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called an emergency meeting following the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) decision to step down the memo on the minimum wage.

The urgent meeting is scheduled for 10:00 am on Wednesday at Labour House, according to a senior official at the NLC headquarters. This discussion aims to address the implications of FEC’s decision.

Earlier, SK Blog reported that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that while all 39 items on the FEC meeting agenda were addressed, the memo on the minimum wage was deferred. Idris explained that the Tripartite Committee, including representatives from local governments, states, NLC/TUC, and the federal government, had submitted a report. However, a decision could not be made as the issue involves multiple stakeholders, including the Organized Private Sector and labour unions.

The minister noted that the memo was postponed to allow President Bola Tinubu to conduct further consultations before presenting it to the National Assembly.

An NLC official, speaking anonymously to Daily Trust, confirmed that the leadership of both labour centers would meet to finalize their position before engaging in consultations with the President.

“Even though we had a position already, we will meet tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to fine-tune our stance before we’re consulted. It is important for us,” the official stated.

Earlier this month, members of the organized labour briefly paralyzed economic activities nationwide with a two-day indefinite strike to press for their minimum wage demands.