A heartfelt and thoughtful appeal has been extended by the Federal Government to labour unions, urging them to continue negotiations with both federal and state governments.
The government emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions with the Tripartite Committee to establish a realistic new minimum wage for the people of Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated, “We are dedicated to achieving a peaceful resolution and will make every effort to ensure this outcome.”
He also mentioned recent meetings between the National Assembly, unions, and the government, extending another invitation for further dialogues.
Emphasizing unity in purpose, he added, “We are not adversaries at this negotiation table. Our shared goal is the welfare of the entire Nigerian populace.”
Highlighting a crucial point, he stated, “It is essential to consider that the minimum wage will not only affect public sector employees but will also impact the private sector significantly. This must be taken into account during negotiations.”
Regarding the proposed N494,000 minimum wage offer by Labour, he pointed out, “This translates to a substantial increase of 1,547 percent from the current wage, resulting in an annual wage expense of 9.5 Trillion Naira for the Federal Government alone.”
Expressing concerns about the implications on the economy, he continued, “Such a wage bill could have severe repercussions, including widespread job losses, particularly in the private sector.”
He further highlighted initiatives like the National Consumer Credit Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, aimed at providing relief to the Nigerian populace.
Concluding the statement, he urged Labour Unions to understand that enhanced welfare for Nigerians does not solely depend on increased wages but also on efforts to lower living expenses and enhance financial stability for citizens.
Expressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to fair and sustainable negotiations, he called on the Labour Unions to reciprocate for the greater good of the nation.