It is no longer hidden how the joint meeting of the various labour bodies spearheaded by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Federal government, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment went on Tuesday been October 15, as more important labour leaders were absent as such, parties were unable to arrive at any applauding agreement. This meeting  however, continued on Wednesday been October 16, as the Federal government pleaded for another one day grace as a result of labour's threats of strike nationwide.

Before Tuesday's meeting, organized labour demanded 30% increase for officers on Grade Levels 07 to 14 and 24% adjustment for officers on grade level 15 to 17. While the federal government proposed 11% salary adjustment for officers on grade Levels 07 to 14 and 6.5% adjustment for workers of grade level 15 to 17. The Minister of labour, Chris Ngige begged the organized labour bodies to shift ground on their stand and consider the negative effects the adjustment will impact on the 2020 budget.

At Wednesday's meeting which run through midnight, the federal government came up with another formula in percentage for the consequential adjustment in the new minimum wage implementation. The federal government are proposing a 17% adjustment for grade level 7 to 9, 15% increase for level 10 to 14 and 12% adjustment for grade level 15 to 17 respectively. However, organized labour are yet to accept as at the time of filing this report.

The labour leaders who were on ground at the meeting were Wabba Ayuba, Nigerian Labour Congress National president, Quadri Olaleye who is the Trade Union National President, Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Amaechi Asogwuni, Simon Achaver and other eminent labour leaders.

The federal government was well represented by Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, Mrs Dr Folasade Yemi Esan, Head of Service of the Federation.

Last night meeting did not lead to any meaningful and general consensus between the demanding and aggrieved organized labour and the Federal government. This development has made Nigerian workers to believe that strike actions looms and lingers. This is because, labour had issued strike warning and threats once this negotiation fails.


source: https://ngg.ng/2019/10/17/consequential-adjustment-to-30000-new-minimum-wage-labour-and-fg-yet-to-reach-agreement/

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