Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejoecha, has said that the decision by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to embark on a nationwide strike is not in the best interest of the country.
Onyejoecha has also warned that declaring a strike in the middle of ongoing negotiations would compound the economic woes.
In a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media, Emameh Gabriel, Onyejeocha said that the “government has consistently demonstrated commitment and goodwill throughout the negotiations with organised labour.”
She explained that the government’s proposals were carefully crafted, taking into account the country’s economic realities and incorporating innovative solutions.
The proposals, she said, include a comprehensive package featuring a wage increase to N60,000 for federal workers, the introduction of CNG-fueled buses, and enhanced financial access for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Additionally, the government has pledged investments in strategic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and many others that are already in the pipeline.
The Minister warned that any new minimum wage must not lead to widespread job losses, particularly in the Organised Private Sector, which employs the bulk of the nation’s workforce.
