Minimum wage: Labour, FG to meet on Friday September 27

- Labour leaders and the federal government have scheduled another meeting for Friday, September 27, to address the minimum wage crisis

- The labour leaders accused the federal government of insecurity and threatened to a decision if the issue is not resolved on Friday

- Labour minister, Ngige, said the government has commenced paying the new wage from Levels 1 to 6 workers, but labour leaders rejected the move, describing it as “divide and rule tactics”

The federal government and Nigerian labour leaders have scheduled a meeting for Friday, September 27, to address the stalemate over the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

The Nation reports that the president of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, said labour leaders will meet with the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC) on Friday, to discuss the way forward.

Olayeye said the labour leaders will take a decision after the meeting if the issue is not resolved.

He chided the federal government for alleged insincerity, claiming that its representatives in the negotiation had not shifted ground.

"Up till now, we are still waiting for the representatives of the federal government. They promised to consult with the presidency and get back to us. But we have not heard anything from them. It shows insincerity on their part and we can’t wait further," Olaleye said.

”You all know the body language already. So, by Friday, we will meet with the JPSNC and a decision will be taken. I want to assure you that, once a decision is taken, there is no going back.”

The JPSNC had threatened to go on strike over the delayed implementation of the new minimum wage as both parties failed to reach an agreement.

During the meeting, which was chaired by the then head of civil service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, the federal government shifted from its earlier position of 9.5% to 11%for grade levels seven to 14 and 6.5 % from 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.

The labour leaders, however, insisted that government should adjust the salaries of workers on grade levels 07 to 14 by 30% and those on levels 15 to 17 by 25%, having stepped down to 29% from 30% for grade levels 7 to 14 and 24 to 25 per cent for levels 15 to 17.

Speaking after the failed negotiation, the chairman of JPSNC and national auditor of the NLC, Simon Anchaver, accused the government team of toying with workers’ interest.

However, Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment, said the government had started paying the new wage from Levels 1 to 6 workers, a development some have reportedly described as “divide and rule tactics” and vowed to resist.

A member of the JNPSNC, who confirmed the proposed Friday meeting said that the labour team would be led by the NLC president Ayuba Wabba.

According to him, labour leaders would use the opportunity to discuss the need for the federal government to fast track action on the new minimum wage.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Ngige dismissed the claim by the Nigerian Labour Congress that the federal government was reluctant to pay the new minimum wage.

“The major hurdle in the minimum wage issue has been crossed. We have crossed the rubicon and the rubicon was getting a new rate for the minimum wage. And the minimum wage is the lowest remuneration paid as compensation to a worker for his services and this is for the least paid worker in Nigeria," he said.

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Minimum Wage: Is N30,000 Too Much for FG to Pay Workers? - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng