In a bid to avert a looming nationwide strike, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has approved an additional N10,000 for workers for a period of six months.
This decision comes in the wake of a meeting between Federal Government officials and labour leaders on Sunday, where discussions revolved around addressing the dispute stemming from the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
The meeting, chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, aimed to find common ground between the government and labour leaders to avoid industrial action. Initially, the president had promised N25,000 for low-cadre workers for six months, but the labour leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the offer and demanded more.
In response to the labour leaders' concerns, the Federal Government announced that all treasury-paid federal government workers would receive a provisional wage award of N35,000 for six months. This decision was reached after further consultation with President Bola Tinubu.
Additionally, as part of the negotiations, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to alleviate the challenges associated with the removal of the PMS subsidy. This move is aimed at improving public transportation and mitigating the impact of rising fuel costs.
Moreover, the government committed to providing financial support for micro and small-scale enterprises, recognising the importance of these businesses in driving economic growth and job creation.
Throughout the discussions, the Federal Government urged labour unions not to embark on strike action, emphasising that the issues in dispute could be more effectively addressed while workers remain on the job. The labour unions, in turn, advocated for a higher wage award.
To facilitate the implementation of these interventions and address the concerns raised by labour leaders, a sub-committee will be established to work out the details. This sub-committee will play a crucial role in defining the practical aspects of the government's initiatives aimed at cushioning the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
The labour delegation, representing both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was led by NLC President Joe Ajaero, Dr Tommy Etim Okon (Deputy President, TUC), Emma Ugboaja (NLC General Secretary), Nuhu Toro (TUC General Secretary), and others.