The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged the federal government to increase the minimum wage of civil servants as a measure to mitigate the impact of removing petrol subsidies on the general public. This demand was among several others presented by the TUC to the government.

In addition to the minimum wage increase, the TUC’s demands included proposing a tax holiday for specific groups of individuals and restoring the previous conditions while negotiations are ongoing.

The government acknowledged the feasibility of these demands and expressed their intention to present them to President Bola Tinubu promptly. A meeting between a federal government delegation and representatives of organized labor, excluding the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took place at the presidential villa in Abuja on Sunday evening.

Following the meeting, Dele Alake, the government delegation’s spokesperson, informed state house correspondents that most of the demands put forth by the TUC were deemed achievable and would be presented to the president. The president’s decisions on these matters will be communicated to labor leaders during the upcoming negotiations scheduled for Tuesday.

When asked about the demand made by organized labor to reverse the recent increase in the pump price of petrol until negotiations are concluded, Alake mentioned that a decision regarding this issue would likely be reached during the Tuesday meeting.

Regarding the absence of the NLC from the meeting, Alake attributed it to the inability to finalize arrangements with the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) prior to the gathering. However, he assured that negotiations would continue with all labor unions and stakeholders.

TUC President Festus Osifo addressed journalists and stated that although some progress had been made during the negotiations, the union would still consult its members before the Tuesday meeting. He chose not to disclose the full list of demands put forward to the government, emphasizing the union’s commitment to negotiate in good faith, just as the government delegation refrained from revealing details of their own side of the discussion.