Relief has come for workers as Federal Government (FG) approved a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for workers across all levels for six months, beginning next month (November 2026).
This is part of resolutions/agreement reached with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday (Tuesday, October 27) at a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja to address demands presented by organised labour.
Since President Bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidy on 29 May, 2023, petrol pumphead prices have shot up nationwide, worsened by war tensions in the oil-producing Gulf of Persia. Presently,despite government’s intervention, petrol still sells at about N1.400 a litre in many retail outlets.
Many salaried employees, especially civil servants, have been caught up in the ensuing spiralling cost of living crisis as higher petrol prices have automatically spurred steep rises in foodstuffs cost, rent, school fees, and basic needs, forcing many government workers to prioritize and slash going to work to just twice or thrice weekly, in order to survive the unprecedented hard times.
Yesterday’s meeting, chaired by Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, with NLC President, Joe Ajaero, leading the labour delegation.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on 22 October and subsequent discussions on workers’ welfare issues raised by NLC’s Central Working Committee and National Executive Council.
A statement issued by the Ministry after the meeting disclosed that the government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears with effect from 1 May, 2026 with arrears to be paid in three equal monthly instalments beginning next month.
The government also agreed to clear 19 months of outstanding allowances owed health workers within three months, commencing in December 2026.
On hazard allowances for agricultural workers, the Ministry disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted a list of beneficiaries and the associated costs to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification.
The verification process is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template, the Ministry stated.
The meeting also considered the proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), with the NSIWC committing to complete the review of the cost implications within three weeks. The outcome of the review will enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to make a decision on the proposed adjustment.
On the vexed issue of national minimum wage, FG and organised labour failed to reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the proposed new wage.
Both parties nevertheless agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted immediately and commence meetings without delay.
On tax relief for workers, the Ministry said the matter would be referred to the National Executive Council (NEC), noting that taxation is a statutory issue.
To ensure compliance with the resolutions, the government and labour representatives agreed to reconvene in one month to review the level of implementation.
The meeting also urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process, while calling on labour unions to engage the relevant authorities at their respective levels to facilitate implementation of the agreements.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Joe Ajaero..leading workers out over poor conditions of service issues.
