The Federal Government and oragnised labour will meet today, October 15, for discussions on consequential increase in the salaries of workers from grade level 7 and above as a result of the new minimum wage of N30,000.
The meeting which will decide whether there would be a national strike is coming after an impromptu meeting on Monday between government and labour to soften the ground for today’s meeting.
Labour had at Monday’s meeting submitted its preferred percentage on the consequential increase in workers’ salaries.
Recall that labour had warned that if the outcome of today’s meeting did not satisfy their demands, workers would embark on a nationwide strike.
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage of N30, 000 into law in April.
However, government and labour negotiators have been unable to agree on the thorny issue of consequential increase following the new minimum wage.
The two parties have engaged in several meetings but have not been able to agree on a percentage.
While Labour leaders are demanding 29 per cent salary increase for workers on salary grade level 7 to 14 and 24 per cent for officers on salary grade level 15 to 17, the Federal Government is offering 11 per cent officers on grade level 7 to 14 and 6.5 per cent adjustment for workers on grade level 15 to 17.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting in Abuja the
Labour and Employment Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, enjoined labour leaders to be open-minded at today’s meeting so that the issues would be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.
“If we don’t soften the ground bullets will fly and at the end of the day we will come back to the negotiating table. That is why we are doing this as a proactive measure.
“Part of my work is to ensure that there is a quiet industrial milieu. The workforce brings out their full productivity and employers, businesses will not be disrupted. That is why we called you again.
“Tomorrow, we are going to do the mix grill meeting. That mix grill meeting tomorrow can be one hour meeting, it can be two hours or it can be 12 hours, depending on what we are able to achieve today.
“I appeal to everybody to show some understanding.
“We are going to discuss dispassionately. Nothing will be hidden from anybody. The books of government, I talked about it before– when I mean books they are budgets– 2019/2020, we will make it bare.
“I have warned them and I have advised them that if they come they should be prepared to present their case, meaningfully and successfully.
“I will stay in the middle as an arbiter because that is what I am going to do in this instance,” the minister said.
READ ALSO: Minimum Wage: NLC Warns Of Prolonged Strike As Lagos Workers Demand N50,000
In his own remarks, the Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Amaechi Asugwuni, speaking on behalf of organised labour, said that the meeting was called by the minister to share information with labour leaders.
He disclosed that labour had made considerable shift from its earlier position on the consequential adjustment of the N30, 000 minimum wage.
“We all know the consequences of delay is never fruitful and as such organised labour has come here with open mind in ensuring that facts are facts, also the situations are already known to us.
“The economy is biting and as a matter of fact, we must assist the process at this time in ensuring that we close it earlier than needed so that we can avert the unforeseen.
“It is only when you don’t know where you are going that you will waste a lot of time doing nothing.
“The position of labour is very clear. It gives us the signpost of what we have asked for and where we are going. So every delay, every action taken is toward that position and we know that you will do your best to get there.
“We believe that the Federal Government will do the needful because ours is a straight forward proposal.
“We have made our proposal to the FG before now and government is to respond. We believe that by tomorrow, we will get the FG’s feedback and know the next thing to do.
“Labour will not tolerate anything short of reasonable adjustment in the ongoing negotiation.
“The consequential adjustment is a matter of percentage which requires give and take principle. You state what you want but it depends on government to see sense in your demand.
“Labour has shifted beyond expectation. What government needs to do is to reciprocate by doing what is needful to appreciate the workers.
“We are talking about compensation, salary and legitimate compensation for work done. Inasmuch as we believe in the consequential adjustment, it has to be reasonable, otherwise, people will feel neglected.
“Tuesday’s meeting is the benchmark for labour’s action but mobilisation continues. The meeting will tell us the way forward because anything can happen.”
He reiterated that Tuesday’s meeting would determine everything whether there would be strike or not but added that mobilisation was on top gear “for an industrial action from 17th October, 2019”.
Expected at the meeting from the government side are; Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, who will chair the meeting, Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of State, Finance, Budget and Planning, Clement Agba; Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN); Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi- Esan; Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze; Acting Chairman, National Salaries Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta; and the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.
Labour is expected to be represented at the meeting by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, headed by its acting chairman, Achaver Simon, and secretary of the union, Alade Lawal.
The minister of labour had also extended invitation to leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.