The Federal Government has called on the organised labour to be considerate and patriotic with their demands in the ongoing negotiation for a new national minimum wage.

The government responded through the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, on Wednesday in Abuja.

in the course of deliberations during the Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage negotiation meeting on Tuesday, the Federal Government offered Labour N60,000 as the new minimum wage for workers.

However, Organized Labour rejected the offer and presented N494 000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.

In her reaction, Onyejeocha said the federal government had consistently taken steps to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers.

The minister urged labour to recognize that the nation’s economy was still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other economic distress.

Onyejeocha added that the government recognized that Nigerians’ economic challenges were complex and multifaceted and called for the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them.

The statement read, “We appeal to organized labour and other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognizing that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks.

“We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.

“The government remains dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of our citizens, and it wants to urge all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding.

“This is particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalize the economy.” 

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