NLC president Joe Ajaero leaves Nigeria amid minimum wage negotiations

President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero and other top union officials have left the country to participate in a labour conference organised by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to Punch, the new minimum wage talks between the Federal Government and Organised Labour are also expected to end on today as the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress leaders await President Bola Tinubu’s decision on their N250,000 offer.

The labour leaders had given a Monday deadline for the conclusion of talks on the new minimum wage.

Labour leaders would hold their National Executive Council meeting where a decision on the strike would be taken on their return from Geneva, based on the feedback from the president.

“We have submitted the report to the president and we are waiting for him to make his decision. That is the most important thing and that is what we are all waiting for.

“As it stands some of us are on the way to Geneva for the ILO conference. Some of us are going today (Sunday), some have gone already while others.

“Before we can even hold a NEC meeting, we must come back from Geneva first. Also, we are trying to be careful so the government won’t say Labour is inciting citizens against the government. Also, you know they are in charge of the military so we are trying to be careful about that. This is why we are waiting,” a top NLC official said.

When asked about Monday’s ultimatum, another source within the NLC said,

“Well, we have sent a report to the committee and we are expecting the president to act on it.

“We should hold a National Executive Council meeting regarding the ultimatum when we return from Geneva. It is very important for us to be there but right now, we are patiently waiting for the decision of Mr President.”