The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has called on Organised Labour to halt its ongoing nationwide strike, which has significantly crippled economic activities across the the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Onyejeocha highlighted the extensive economic losses incurred since the strike’s onset, affecting businesses, airports, universities, hospitals, and the power sector.
Onyejeocha highlighted the complexities in determining a new minimum wage, noting that it involves not only the Federal Government but also state governments and the Organised Private Sector.
She pointed out that the aftermath of the strike’s first 24 hours had brought considerable hardship to Nigerians, urging the labour unions to return to the negotiating table.
The minister stressed the impracticality of the ₦494,000 wage demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), indicating that several state governments are still struggling to meet the ₦30,000 minimum wage set in 2019.
She argued that any new wage agreement must reflect the economic realities, including the productivity and financial capabilities of employers.
Onyejeocha urged the unions to consider the ₦60,000 offer proposed by the government and the private sector, cautioning that the higher demand could exacerbate the already high inflation rate, which stands at 33.69%.
She reassured that the government is earnest about reaching a fair and sustainable wage agreement that considers the economic conditions and the broader impacts on the nation’s economy.