The Nigerian government has called on organized labor and other relevant stakeholders to be “considerate and patriotic in their demands,” emphasizing that the economy is still recovering from the pandemic and other global economic shocks.
The leaderships of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened to cripple the country’s economy if the government did not offer workers a living wage as demanded during the May Day celebration.
Organized labor issued a stern warning to the government following the collapse of talks on the minimum wage among members of the tripartite committee, leading to the meeting being adjourned indefinitely.
Two weeks ago, the leadership of the NLC and TUC walked out on government representatives, rejecting a proposed “paltry N48,000” minimum wage.
Shortly after the deadlock, government representatives increased the proposed minimum wage to N54,000, which was still unacceptable to the labor unions.
However, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in a statement signed by Mr. Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, on Wednesday in Abuja, appealed to organized labor to be considerate and patriotic in their demands during the ongoing negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The minister stated that the federal government had been consistent in striving for a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers, urging labor to recognize the nation’s economic recovery from the pandemic and other economic stresses.
She emphasized that the proposed wage increase reflected the government’s willingness to address labor’s concerns and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
“We appeal to organized labor and other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognizing that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks.
“We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.
“The government remains dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of our citizens and urges all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding.
“This is particularly critical as President Bola Tinubu works diligently to revitalize the economy,” she said.
The minister noted that the economic challenges faced by Nigerians are complex and multifaceted, calling for the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them. She added that the meeting with organized labor was a significant step in securing a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers.
“As a government, we recognize the importance of ensuring that our citizens receive a decent standard of living, and we are committed to making this a reality.
“After hours of intense negotiations, labor leaders took a recess to consult with other key stakeholders and have pledged to return to the negotiating table for further discussion.
“We welcome this development and are optimistic that continued engagement will yield a positive outcome.
“In light of the current economic conditions, we have made a concessionary move from N57,000 to N60,000.
“We understand that the current economic landscape is challenging, and we are doing everything in our power to mitigate its effects on our citizens.
“This is the path that this government has chosen to pursue, and we will not deviate or stray from the course.
“President Tinubu has been tireless in his efforts to revitalize the economy and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians.
“His commitment to creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reducing poverty is genuine, and we appeal to all to support him in this endeavor.
“As we move forward, we will continue to engage with organized labor and other stakeholders to ensure that our economic policies are inclusive and beneficial to all,” she added.