FG, Labour Agree on N70,000 Transport Palliative, Immediate Minimum Wage Talks

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have agreed on payment of N70,000 transport palliative to workers across all levels and immediate commencement of negotiations on new national minimum wage.

The resolutions were reached at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, between Federal Government and leadership of NLC.

The meeting was sequel to a communique issued at the end of joint meeting of Central Working Committee (CWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC, and was a follow-up to an earlier conciliation convened on October 22, 2026 to address demands for commencement of minimum wage discussion, reduction in petroleum pump price and palliatives to cushion effect of economic challenges on workers.

The meeting also addressed demands of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on public service welfare, Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on implementation of CONHESS adjustment, tax relief for workers and hazard allowance for agricultural workers.

According to resolutions signed at end of meeting, NLC leadership expressed concern over Federal Government’s attitude towards the issues, while Federal Government stated it fully respects right of Congress to advocate for improved working conditions and is genuinely working to address them through structured intervention.

On commencement of discussion and implementation date of national minimum wage, it was agreed that Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. However, parties noted there is disagreement on effective date of implementation.

On reduction in petrol pump price and demand for palliative, it was agreed that transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for period of six months.

Both parties agreed that peculiar allowance, parties agreed that payment of arrears would commence in November 2026 in three equal monthly instalments.

On the demand for the payment of 19 months arrears of allowances for health workers, it was agreed that arrears would be redeemed within three months with effect from December 2026.

On tax relief for workers, it was resolved that since tax is statutory matter, issue will be taken to National Executive Council (NEC) for consideration.

Regarding hazard allowance for agricultural officers, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security submitted list of beneficiaries and cost implication to National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) which is being verified. Verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which template for implementation would be issued by NSIWC.

On CONHESS adjustment, NSIWC promised to complete update of cost implication within three weeks to enable Presidential Committee on Salaries to take decision.

The meeting urged state and local governments to key into intervention process and enjoined unions to push for implementation of resolutions.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Director General of Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu and Permanent Secretary, Office of Head of Service of Federation, Dr. Garba Abdul signed for Federal Government, while President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and National Secretary, JNPSNC, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga signed on behalf of Labour.