…urges well meaning Nigerians to join appeal to Labour
The Federal Government has appealed to the Organised Labour to sheath their sword and return to the negotiating table.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris made the passionate appeal on Monday in Abuja.
Idris briefed alongside the Minister of State, Labour amd Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha and Bayo Onanuga, Media aide to the president.
Idris reminded the Labour Union that the minimum wage negotiation is not only for public workers alone as it also affects the private sector.
He stressed that the cost implications could lead to job losses, especially in the private sector.
He therefore appealed to the Labour Union to return to the negotiating table to fashion out a realistic and sustainable wage.
The Minister said that the government is equally bothered about the shut down of critical infrastructure by the striking workers.
The minister said, “This is a heartfelt and deeply considered appeal to the Labour Unions to continue along the path of negotiations with the Federal and State Governments, under the auspices of the Tripartite Committee that has been established to fashion out a new, realistic minimum wage for the Nigerian people.
“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 very available in the context of these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian people
“Let me make it clear that we are not opponents on this negotiating table. We are united by the fact that we want 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 9.5 Trillion Naira 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 efforts to reduce the cost of living, and to ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.
President Bola Ahmed 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.”
He further explained, that government has not shut its doors to negotiations with the Labour union.
“ The Tripartite committee is still there, it has not been disbanded. It is the Labour that stepped out and we are appealing to them to come back to the negotiating table and we believe that once that is done an amicable solution would be found.
“Government has not closed the doors to anything. What the government has offered is its own realistic position. If Labour feels that is still not okay, there is still an opportunity to come back to the negotiating table and talk to the other two members of the committee.
“We believe that we are all Nigerians and an amicable solution is available to all of us.”
He stressed that “strike is not the only way out.”
Reacting on a question on the statement by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi that the strike was illegal, Idris said, what was paramount right now is to appeal to the striking workers to return back to the negotiating table.
He said he was not ready to trade blame but to ensure that negotiations resumed.
He said, “At this point what is important to all of us as Nigerians is to come together.
We believe that Labour also meant well for Nigerians. After all the negotiation they are doing, according to them is on behalf of all Nigerians. So let them come together and join hands with other Nigerians so that we can all come together and fashion out a correct wage regime, agreeable, sustainable and doable for all.”
On the shutdown of TCN and Airports, the Minister said, “Let me say that the government is really bothered
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“It is the responsibility of the government to protect lives and properties. Let me also say that in the spirit of reconciliation, we also want to forge ahead, we want everyone to come back to the negotiating table.”
He added, “our emphasis is to appeal to the Organised Labour to come back to the negotiation table so that we can find a solution to the issue.
“We don’t want to go to who is right and who is wrong at this point.
“The wish of the government is that labour should come back to the negotiation table.
“We want to call on other leaders to please impress it on labour that we are all stakeholders in this project called Nigeria. When the national grid goes off, it is not about APC, PDP, Labour Party or any other party, it is about Nigeria.
So when the national grid goes off, it affect all of us.
“My appeal to leaders all across this country, religious, social, opinion, whatever leader is there to appeal to Labour to reconsider their position and come back to the table so that together we can fashion out what is best for our country.”
