FG Has Fulfilled 90% Of Agreement With Labour — Tinubu’s Minister Claims
Nigeria’s Labour Minister, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has asserted that the Federal Government has successfully fulfilled approximately 90% of the agreement made with the Organised Labour back in October.
The Minister made this claim on Tuesday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today show on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
“We’ve done virtually everything in agreement. 90% of everything,” Onyejeocha said.
As per her statement, Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (TUC), conveyed to government officials during a meeting on Sunday that the protest did not revolve around the government’s dedication to the October agreement.
The minister emphasized that food security and economic prosperity were key priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the new government, highlighting that the administration is currently in its planting season with the promise of a fruitful harvest ahead.
Onyejeocha mentioned that the Federal Government had successfully addressed approximately 90% of the 15-point memorandum of understanding signed with the Organised Labour on October 2, 2023.
The minister mentioned that certain aspects of the agreement involve providing a wage increase of N35,000 to employees, establishing a committee for minimum wage, and halting the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Diesel for six months.
Regarding the allocation of high-capacity CNG buses for public transportation in Nigeria, the minister confirmed that funds have been disbursed for this initiative.
However, she noted that there are factors beyond his control, such as the duration a shipment or container may remain at the port.
Nigeria is currently facing multiple challenges including rising inflation, food inflation, a forex crisis, economic hardship, and a high cost of living. These issues have been exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidy, leading to protests in various parts of the country.
In an attempt to address the situation, the Presidency held talks with labour leaders on Monday night. However, the meeting ended without any resolution as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insisted on proceeding with the protest.
While the Trade Union Congress (TUC) stated that it was not participating in the strike, the NLC effectively disrupted economic activities nationwide on Tuesday. Ajaero, a prominent labour leader, emphasized that the protest was not solely focused on demanding a review of the minimum wage but also aimed to highlight the issue of hunger.
Subsequently, on Tuesday night, the labour unions decided to suspend the protest after the first day of demonstrations. They claimed that the objectives of the two-day protest had already been achieved on the initial day of the rally.
