FG calls on unions to suspend strike and return to the negotiating table

The Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idrismade this appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

Idris held the press conference accompanied by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, and the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu for Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to Idris, the Tripartite Committee consisted of governments, unions and the private sector, but only the unions decided not to go on strike.

He stated that the country belongs to all Nigerians and that the “The electricity grid knows no political party, no tribe, no religion, and if it is switched off, it affects all Nigerians.”

“We make an urgent and well-considered appeal to the unions to continue the path of negotiations they have taken with the federal government and the state governments within the framework of the tripartite body.

“As a government, we hope for a peaceful outcome to the conflict and will do everything we can to ensure this happens.

“Yesterday, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the unions. Today we extended another invitation to the unions to meet with us and continue our talks.”

“We will remain engaged and very available in these negotiations on behalf of the Nigerian people.

“Let me make it clear that we are not adversaries at this negotiating table. We are united by the fact that we want the best for Nigeria and all of her 200 million citizens.“, said Idris.

He further explained that it is the responsibility of the Trilateral Committee to find a fair and realistic balance in the efforts to set a new minimum wage for Nigerians.

According to him, the minimum wage will not only apply to public sector workers, but will also be mandatory for the private sector.

The minister added that this reality must be taken into account in the negotiations.

“As I have explained earlier, the current Labour proposal of N494,000 represents a 1,547% increase on the existing wage and equates to an annual wage bill of N9.5 trillion Naira for the Federal Government alone.

“This does not even take into account the cost implications for sub-national governments and private sector workers. Such a wage law would cripple the Nigerian economy as it would lead to massive job losses, especially in the private sector.

“The National Consumer Credit Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are further important testaments to the determination to provide assistance to the Nigerian people.

“We want unions to understand that the relief that Nigerians expect and fully deserve will not come in the form of wage increases alone.

“This will also go hand in hand with efforts to reduce the cost of living and ensure that more money stays in the pockets of Nigerians.”

“The President is committed to doing the right, sensible and sustainable thing in these minimum wage negotiations.

“We call on the unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation,” Said Idris.