Organized Labour has insisted on going ahead with Wednesday’s scheduled strike to protest against increasing hardship and rising costs of living due to the removal of petrol subsidy.
This comes in spite of the assurances granted by President Bola Tinubu on Monday night in his nationwide broadcast that the government would make budgetary allocations for the implementation of the new minimum wage as soon as an agreement is reached by the Presidential Steering Committee and labour unions.
“In the same vein, we are also working in collaboration with the Labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. I want to tell our workers this: your salary review is coming.
“Once we agree on the new minimum wage and general upward review, we will make budget provision for it for immediate implementation,” Tinubu said.
On this note, the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives held another marathon meeting with representatives of the Organised Labour, comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The NLC President, Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart Osifo spoke shortly after talks between Organised Labour and the Federal Government to avert the protest became inconclusive noting that the peaceful rally would hold in line with its schedule.
They allayed the fears that the peaceful protest could be hijacked over by hoodlums, saying that security agencies were responsible for safeguarding workers in such exercises.
Present at the meeting include Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
The meeting of the steering committee was adjourned till 12 noon today, Tuesday, 1st of August.
