FG also appealed to NLC and TUC to be considerate and patriotic in their demands while negotiating for a new minimum wage
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reconsider their stance after they once again rejected federal government’s improved minimum wage offer.
She made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun.
Onyejeocha appealed to the NLC and the TUC to be considerate and patriotic in their demands in the ongoing negotiation for a new national minimum wage.
Several media outlets had earlier reported that the FG offered workers N60,000 as the new minimum wage during a Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage negotiation meeting on Tuesday.
However, representatives of the organized labour rejected the offer and presented N494 000 as the minimum workers are willing to consider.
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Reacting to the position of the NLC and the TUC, the Minister of State for Labour said the FG has been consistent in taking steps to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers.
She, therefore, urged labour to recognize that the nation’s economy was still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and other economic distress.
Onyejeocha said: “We appeal to organized labour 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 it wants to urge all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding.
“This is particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalize the economy.”
The minister, went on to say the government recognized that Nigerians’ economic challenges were complex and multifaceted and called for the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them.