FG reacts as Labour rejects N60K minimum wage offer

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has appealed to the organised labour to be considerate and patriotic in their demands in the ongoing negotiation for a new national minimum wage.

Onyejeocha made the appeal in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.

During the Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage negotiation meeting on Tuesday, the Federal Government had offered Labour N60,000 as the new minimum wage for workers.

The Organised Labour had also presented N494, 000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.

The Minister said that the federal government had been consistent in taking steps to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigeria workers.

She, therefore, urged labour to recognise that the nation’s economy was still on the path of recovery from the effect of the pandemic and other economic distress.

“We appeal to organised labour and indeed, 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 remain dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of our citizens and its want 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,”she said.