The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has emphasized the need for the Federal Government to uphold and implement all agreements made with organized labor, particularly regarding the national minimum wage, in 2023.

In a joint New Year message signed by TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, titled “Our Hope is not Renewed Yet,” the TUC urged the government to fulfill its commitments discussed during social dialogues in 2023.

Osifo criticized the government for its failure to implement essential agreements reached with labor and highlighted the TUC’s demand for the agreements, established on October 2, 2023, to be notarized by the court.

He stated, “However, the government has consistently disregarded these agreements. For instance, Item 2 states that: ‘A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.’ Yet, three months have passed, and no such committee has been established. This has been our experience with this government regarding at least two previous agreements reached since June.”

The TUC has resolved to demand from the administration, led by Tinubu, that in 2024, all agreements between labor and the government must be implemented. This includes the monthly payment of the N35,000 wage award to public servants in local, state, and federal services. The TUC insists on the implementation of this wage award until a new national minimum wage is established.