The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has urged the Organised Labour to call off its ongoing strike, which has severely impacted economic activities across the nation.
Onyejeocha emphasized that determining a new minimum wage involves not only the Federal Government but also state governments and the Organised Private Sector.
“The Federal Government takes into cognisance that it’s the tripartite committee that would also ensure that if Mr A agrees to pay, he has to pay,” the minister said on Monday, the first day of the strike.
She pointed out that many state governments are still unable to pay the ₦30,000 minimum wage agreed upon in 2019, making the ₦494,000 demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) unrealistic.
“Remember that when ₦18,000 minimum wage was agreed upon, certain states couldn’t pay. After that, ₦30,000 minimum wage, some states couldn’t pay as we speak. So, it’s not something you decide for people… the Federal Government does not have that power to impose,” she stated.
Onyejeocha added, “the ₦494,000 is highly impossible” as a new minimum wage, warning that such a wage would lead to business closures and massive job losses.
The minister highlighted the significant economic losses caused by the strike in just 24 hours, affecting businesses, airports, universities, hospitals, and power supply.
She appealed to labour unions to end the strike and return to negotiations to reach a realistic wage agreement that considers both productivity and affordability for the private sector.
Onyejeocha argued that sustainability in wage payments must be considered beyond merely agreeing on a new living wage.
The labour minister urged the unions to consider the government and Organised Private Sector’s offer of ₦60,000, noting that the ₦494,000 demand would further escalate Nigeria’s inflation rate, currently at 33.69%.
She assured that the Federal Government is serious about addressing the wage issue and is committed to establishing a new and realistic minimum wage.
During failed negotiations, Labour rejected three government offers, the latest being ₦60,000. The TUC and NLC subsequently withdrew from discussions, insisting on the ₦494,000 demand.
Last-minute talks between labour leaders and the National Assembly on Sunday night also failed, with Organised Labour resolute about continuing the industrial action.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, reiterated that the workers’ demands are not affordable.
