Labour, FG in talks over new minimum wage — TUC President

 President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has disclosed that there are still some level of discussions ongoing between labour representatives and the Federal Government regarding a new national minimum wage bill, expected to be submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the inaugural Annual Convention of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Women Commission in Abuja, themed “The Dynamic Woman: Navigating Challenges in a Constantly Evolving World,” Osifo emphasized that significant preparatory work is underway before the bill is officially presented.

“The negotiations for the minimum wage are progressing steadily. The previous minimum wage, which expired in 2019, took approximately two years to materialize from our initial negotiations that began in 2017,” Osifo stated.

“In January of this year, we assured you that we would expedite this process to avoid the delays we faced previously. Currently, we have submitted our divergent proposals, and President Tinubu has expressed his intention to consult widely, including with governors, local government chairpersons, the organized private sector, and labour unions. We are actively engaged in outreach and discussions to ensure that the proposed minimum wage adequately supports the most vulnerable segments of our population.”

Osifo reaffirmed the TUC’s stance on a proposed benchmark of N250,000 as the ideal minimum wage.

Additionally, Osifo addressed ongoing fuel scarcity issues, attributing them to logistical challenges that need urgent attention.

“Recent experiences have shown severe disruptions on major transport routes, such as the Aviele to Auchi road, where prolonged blockades have occurred. These logistical constraints significantly impact fuel distribution across the country,” he explained.

He advocated for technological advancements and repairs of infrastructure, particularly pipelines and oil depots, to mitigate such challenges in the future.

In her remarks, Comrade Ada Mbanaso, National Chairperson of the PENGASSAN Women Commission, highlighted the commission’s efforts in community development and gender empowerment initiatives.

“We have been actively involved in projects like ‘Back-to-School’ drives, support for orphanages and elderly care homes, empowerment programs for widows and small-scale entrepreneurs, as well as campaigns promoting menstrual hygiene and mental health awareness,” Mbanaso noted.

She expressed the commission’s commitment to fostering gender equity within PENGASSAN and beyond, advocating for increased leadership roles for women and addressing emerging challenges faced by women in the industry.