FG to clear N35,000 wage award arrears, resume payment

Along with announcing that the government had resumed paying the wage award, the Federal Government gave workers the assurance that it would settle the outstanding balance of the N35,000 wage award.

In addition, the government reaffirmed its resolve to resolve disagreements regarding the 2023 agreement between organised labour and the national minimum wage.

The government's commitment to implementing agreements with trade unions was revealed by Minister of Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha during separate meetings with the leaders of the Congress of University Academics and the Trade Union Congress on Wednesday in Abuja.

Onyejeocha emphasised the value of her contacts with important trade unions, stressing the goal to maintain open channels of communication, improve labour relations to lessen the possibility of future strikes, and actively participate in cultivating a harmonious and friendly work environment for all employees.
The Federal Government announced that it has resumed paying the wage award while also assuring workers that it will settle the outstanding balance of the N35,000 wage award.

Additionally, the government reaffirmed its resolve to resolve disagreements in the 2023 National Minimum Wage agreement that it had reached with Organised Labour.

During separate meetings with the leaderships of the Trade Union Congress and Congress of University Academics on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, revealed the government's commitment to implementing agreements with trade unions.

In order to reduce the possibility of future strikes, Onyejeocha emphasised the importance of her contacts with important trade unions and her intention to maintain open channels of communication and strengthen labour relations. She also actively contributed to cultivating a harmonious and friendly work environment for all employees.
In addition to reiterating the government's willingness for collaboration, Onyejeocha said that her visit was intended to maintain open lines of communication and that the government recognised the hardships faced by the trade unions.

"I am here primarily to reassure you that the agreements between the government and trade unions remain on our minds. Thank God you have verified that the N35,000 wage award has been disbursed by the federal government. I promise that the remaining amount will be paid shortly. The payment is proceeding as planned.

"I know that the President is focused on ensuring that the issue of a new national minimum wage is addressed," stated Onyejeocha. The administration will see to it that the committee gets down to business.

"I have come to remind you that I am aware of those agreements and we are working around the clock to make sure they are fulfilled because I do not want to wait for any stakeholder to start agitating. We will continue to fulfil our obligations on any that we are unable to fulfil right now, including those from the past.

She complimented the TUC leadership for having faith in the government and gave the union assurances that the government would always be open to speaking with them and working together for the benefit of all citizens.

The Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero previously suggested that the Federal Government be given a wage adjustment in order to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies.

In order to mitigate the impact of the removal of subsidies, the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tunubu, and the Labour Unions agreed to pay lower cadre workers a wage award of N35,000 for the following six months.

Speaking, Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress, praised the government for some of the significant actions it has taken thus far, particularly for fulfilling up to 80% of the agreement with the management of Road Transport Employers.
In his speech, Comrade Festus Osifo, the president of the Trade Union Congress, praised the government for some of the significant actions that have been taken thus far, particularly for fulfilling up to 80% of the agreement with the management of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria. He also urged the government to fulfil the remaining 20% of the agreement.

We do not operate as a union that waits for the government to stop extorting money from us. We continue interacting because of this, Osifo said.