From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government has appealed to labour unions to continue on the path of negotiations with the federal and state governments, under the auspices of the Tripartite Committee established to fashion out a new, realistic minimum wage for the Nigerian people.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, spoke while briefing journalists in Abuja, following the industrial action embarked upon by the labour unions yesterday.
“As Government, we are desirous of a peaceful outcome and we will do everything to make this happen. Yesterday, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the unions. Today, we have offered another invitation to the Unions, to meet with us and continue our discussions.“We will continue to engage, and continue to make ourselves available in the context of these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian people.”
Idris further made it clear to the unions that they were not opponents on the negotiating table, saying they were united by the fact that they wanted the best for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for all 200 million citizens of the country.
“We have a responsibility to strike a measured and realistic balance in this effort to arrive at a new minimum wage for Nigerians.
“Let us remind ourselves of the fundamental facts: ‘The minimum wage is not only for public sector workers. It will be binding on the private sector as well. This reality must be factored into the negotiations.’
“As I have explained earlier, Labour’s current proposal of N494,000 is an increase of 1,547 percent on the existing wage, and translates into an annual wage bill of N9.5 trillion for the Federal Government of Nigeria alone.
“This is apart from its cost implications for subnational governments and private sector employees. Such a wage bill would cripple the Nigerian economy, by leading to massive job losses, especially in the private sector.
“The National Consumer Credit Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are additional significant demonstrations of a determination to bring relief to the people of Nigeria.
“We want the Labour Unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians are expecting, and that they fully deserve, will not come only in the form of increased wages. It will also come as an effort to reduce the cost of living, and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.
“President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) is firmly committed to doing what is right, reasonable and sustainable regarding these minimum wage negotiations. We call on the Labour Unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation,” Idris also said.