Ol
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have reached agreement on measures to cushion economic hardship for workers, including a N70,000 transport intervention and payment of 19 months arrears owed to health workers.
The resolutions were reached at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, following an earlier meeting on October 22.
The meetings were convened to address NLC concerns over rising cost of living, implementation of the National Minimum Wage, petroleum pump prices, workers’ welfare and outstanding allowances.
Under the agreement, the Federal Government will provide a transport intervention of N70,000 across all levels for six months, beginning November 2026.
Government also approved peculiar allowance with effect from May 1, 2026, with arrears to be paid in three equal monthly instalments starting November.
It was also agreed that the 19 months outstanding allowances owed to health workers will be paid within three months, beginning December 2026.
The parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee will be constituted and commence work immediately, though they remained divided over the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.
On tax relief for workers, it was resolved that the matter be referred to the National Executive Council, as taxation is statutory.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications of the proposed hazard allowance for agricultural officers to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, for verification.
The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.
Similarly, the NSIWC is to complete an updated assessment of the cost implications of the proposed CONHESS adjustment within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision.
The Federal Government and NLC urged state and local governments to join the intervention and implement the agreed measures.
The parties agreed to reconvene after one month to review implementation.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Director-General, Budget, Timi Yakubu, and Permanent Secretary, SWO, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Garba Abdul S.U.
For the NLC, President Comrade Joe Ajaero signed, while National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga signed for the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council.
