Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

The Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government has assured the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of resuming the payment of wage awards to workers this week.

Onyejeocha appealed to the labour organisations to withdraw their 14-day ultimatum, as the government had stepped up efforts to complete the implementation of that agreement.

According to her, the unions and the Federal Government had an agreement, stressing that the Federal Government has shown good faith by considered the urgency of the issue at hand.

The minister gave the assurance at a meeting with the leadership of NLC and TUC on Tuesday in Abuja.

The meeting was called by the minister on account of the 14-day ultimatum issued to government on the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with them on 2 October 2023.

The minister therefore assured labour of Mr President’s sincerity of purpose and unflinching dedication to the implementation of that agreement.

Onyejeocha also assured them that President Tinubu would leave no stone unturned to satisfy the demands of the labour organisations.

According to her, “I want to promise that the government would keep working towards the complete implementation of the agreement and I therefore request the Labour unions to withdraw their ultimatum.

“I plead with you to sheath your sword. We have been showing good faith; it is just that it is not commensurate with your expectations

“But I promise you that we will surpass your expectation this time, and I believe that everything will go well,” she said.

Speaking at the meeting, the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, called on the Federal Government to be committed to beating the deadline of the 14-day ultimatum that started on Feb. 9, 2024, by ensuring the implementation of that agreement.

Ajaero also insisted on their resolve to stand by their ultimatum.