FG

Author: Gist Correspondent

The Federal Government and organised labour are set to resume negotiations over petrol prices, minimum wage review and other workers’ welfare concerns, as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) consider possible nationwide industrial action.

The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, is expected to determine labour’s next move following the expiration of its ultimatum to the government.

The unions are demanding a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage before the end of October.

NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, said labour expected the government to present concrete responses to its demands rather than reopen discussions on issues already submitted.

“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said on Monday.

A source within organised labour said the government had requested additional time to prepare for the meeting, adding that the outcome would determine the next course of action.

A Trade Union Congress official also confirmed that labour’s decision on possible industrial action would depend on the outcome of the discussions.

The Federal Ministry of Labour equally confirmed the planned meeting, although it indicated that the schedule remained subject to possible changes.

The negotiations follow an earlier meeting on October 22 that ended without an agreement. Organised labour accused the government delegation of arriving without the authority required to make substantive commitments on the issues raised.

In a joint statement, acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, said the government delegation was unprepared to engage meaningfully with labour’s demands.

The unions said the Minister of Labour had requested an adjournment to enable relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to participate in the next session.

The NLC subsequently directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible nationwide action should the government fail to make meaningful progress.

A major disagreement centres on when negotiations should begin to replace the N70,000 monthly minimum wage introduced in 2024.

The Federal Government maintains that the current wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, citing the three-year review cycle provided under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024.

In a letter dated October 12, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, described an earlier review as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.

The NLC, however, insists that preparations for a new wage review should begin immediately to allow sufficient time for negotiations and implementation.

In a letter dated October 13, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, argued that the timetable under the original legislation remained relevant despite the 2024 amendment.

The union has called for the nomination of representatives and inauguration of a National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprising the government, organised labour and employers.

President Bola Tinubu signed the current minimum wage legislation into law on July 29, 2024, raising the statutory minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after prolonged negotiations.

While the government has cited the 133 per cent increase as a major concession to workers, labour maintains that inflation, naira depreciation and rising living costs have substantially eroded the gains.

The unions argue that workers are struggling to meet essential expenses, including transportation, food, housing, healthcare and education.

Petrol prices remain another major source of disagreement, with labour insisting that the rising cost of fuel has increased transportation fares and pushed up the prices of essential commodities.

The NLC is also demanding the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023, immediate wage awards and the resolution of outstanding agreements affecting public-sector workers.

Other unresolved matters include the implementation of the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.

Labour is equally seeking action on demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, including peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The Federal Ministry of Labour has said it is engaging relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address the outstanding issues.

Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to settle outstanding pension-related entitlements, including three months of fuel-subsidy removal palliatives amounting to N75,000 for eligible retirees.

The association made the demand in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22. The document was signed by its President-General, Benjamin Maisamari Amako, and General Secretary, Franklin Erinle.

The pensioners also called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to clarify the implementation of pension harmonisation, which took effect in January 2026, and make the relevant government circular available to beneficiaries.

They urged the agency to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints and ensure that eligible retirees receive the appropriate adjustments to their monthly pensions.

The association further called for safeguards during the planned relaunch of PTAD’s ‘I Am Alive’ verification platform to prevent elderly, sick and physically incapacitated pensioners from losing access to their payments.

While commending President Tinubu for the timely payment of monthly pensions to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the association urged the government to sustain the practice and ensure uninterrupted payments.

On healthcare, FEPPPAN appealed to PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme by providing assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for retirees unable to travel because of age, illness or disability.

It warned that administrative and technological difficulties could prevent eligible pensioners from accessing healthcare benefits, urging the authorities to identify and assist retirees who had yet to complete registration.

The association also called for an effective complaints-resolution mechanism and timely information on pension entitlements, verification procedures and healthcare eligibility.

It stressed that no eligible pensioner should be denied healthcare or pension benefits because of registration difficulties or other administrative barriers.

FEPPPAN urged the President and relevant authorities to give prompt and favourable consideration to its resolutions, emphasising that reliable pension payments and accessible healthcare were essential to protecting retirees’ dignity and financial security amid rising living costs.

PTAD administers pension liabilities for eligible federal public-sector retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, while its ‘I Am Alive’ platform is used to verify beneficiaries’ continued eligibility for pension payments.